Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Zdolph J.G. and Anna J.K. Weel. Next of kin given as his sister  Margsret Earl nee Weel of Ibus Street, Longreach, QLD. Brother of Alice Weel and Hugh B. Weel who returned to Australia on 8 October 1918 having served with the 3rd Filed Artillery Brigade

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Previously served with the Queensland Defence Force's 5th Regiment

WEEL Albert  #360 15th Battalion
 
Albert Weel (his name and that of his brother Hugh are spelt incorrectly on the Gracemere memorial) was one of four children born to Adolph and Anna Weel. Albert was born at Walkerston near Mackay but according to his brother Hugh, attended Allenstown State School. He had served for a period of three years in the Queensland Defence Force, Port Curtis Regiment and stated his occupation as variously bookkeeper or clerk.
 
At the time of Albert’s enlistment, he was living and working in Longreach and presented himself for inclusion in the AIF on 17th September 1914. He was 33 years old and named his sister, Mrs Margaret Earl also of Longreach, as his next of kin. Both parents had died some years previously.
 
Albert arrived at Enoggera Camp on 28th September and his papers were signed by Lt Colonel James “Bull” Cannan of the 15th Battalion. Three days later, Albert was charged with being absent without leave and his papers were marked “Discharged”. Albert may have travelled back to Longreach then to attend to his affairs, including making a will, before he re-enlisted back into the 15th on 29th October at Enoggera, with apparently no penalty.
 
The 15th Battalion was part of the 4th Brigade of the 1st Division AIF. The 4th brigade was made up of battalions primarily from the outer states (WA, SA, Qld) and one Victorian Battalion. The Brigade commander was John Monash. The 15th Battalion travelled by train to Melbourne where the brigade was assembled before boarding the “Ceramic” on 22nd December. The “Ceramic” arrived in Egypt on 31stJanuary and went into camp at Mena on the outskirts of Cairo.
 
The next two months were devoted to training and sightseeing whilst the British authorities thought about what to do with 15,000 unruly and ill disciplined Australians. Once the plans for the Dardenelles Campaign were formulated, things got serious.
 
The entire Australian 1st Division boarded ships for Mudros Harbour on the Greek island of Lemnos where the troops practiced climbing down rope ladders and boat drills in preparation for a landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The 15th Battalion landed on the beach at Anzac Cove late on the 25th April and immediately moved inland following a gully which became known as Monash Valley to the head of the ridge where they dug in. This position would eventually become known as Quinn’s Post (after a Lieutenant of the 15th).
 
For the next two weeks, the 15th rotated in and out of Quinn’s Post. In the hope of precipitating a breakthrough, Godley the Divisional commander ordered a series of actions to take place during the second week in May. The battalion war diary contains detailed descriptions of the actions undertaken during those few days, describing attacks on Turkish trenches and Turkish counterattacks. The first few weeks of May were frantic for both sides with the casualties piling up; so much so that a ceasefire was agreed to later that month so that both sides could go out into no man’s land to collect their dead. The 15th records for this period’s casualties amounted to 118 killed and 296 wounded; which constituted almost half of the battalion’ strength.
 
At Quinn’s Post on 10th May, Albert Weel was seriously wounded. His file states gunshot wounds to his face shoulder and leg, and a fractured scapula. After being treated on the beach, Albert was transported to the Hospital Ship “Gascon” moored of ANZAC, and from there was taken to the Ras El Tin Military Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt where he was admitted on 19th May.
 
Albert’s sister in Longreach was advised that he was wounded but there was no mention of the severity of his injuries. Albert lingered in hospital for almost two weeks before dying of his wounds and pneumonia on 5th July.
 
Because of an administrative error, Albert’s name appeared in the casualty lists printed in the Brisbane Courier before his sister was informed of his death. She sent an urgent telegram to Base Records in Melbourne advising she had seen her brother’s name listed as killed. She was duly informed that he had died of wounds. Albert was buried in the Chatby War Cemetery in Alexandria. His brother, Hugh, had an inscription placed on his headstone which read “Greater love hath no man than this that he should lay down his life for his country.”
 
Albert’s sister, Margaret Earl, moved to Nerimbera North Rockhampton.  She was the sole beneficiary of Albert’s will. Hugh Weel, who had enlisted in Rockhampton two weeks before Albert, survived the war and upon his return to Australia also lived at Nerimbera. Hugh graciously allowed Margaret to take possession of Albert’s medals, scroll and memorial plaque when they were issued.