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Australia

Alfred was born in Goodwood on the 28th December 1908 to Devon-born John and Wilhemina ‘Minnie’ Willing (John’s second wife). Alfred, known as Alf, was one of seven sons and five daughters. John’s family was an early pioneer farmer at Minlaton, where John worked as a carrier before he came to Adelaide to work as a travelling wholesale confection deliverer, eventually opening his own wholesale confectioning distribution business. John died just days prior to Alf’s 19th birthday in December ’27.
From early years, Alf had a love of learning. In those years, newspapers had columns designed to encourage young children to write with their queries – with Alf making good use of the forum, to find out where Head teachers had taught and what the best joint would be for the construction of cupboard doors.
Alf attended Norwood High School, where post studies, he was the very organised secretary of the Old Scholar’s Association, organising six dances in the Town Hall ‘during the season’. He was also an active Junior cadet with the 18th Light Horse Regiment.

Not unexpectedly, Alf became a teacher, being appointed to different school in the State. These included Head teacher at Harrogate (’29), Wunkar (’31) Maree (’38) where he was also a Justice of the Peace and captained the local cricket club to a premiership with his accurate bowling and confident batting skills. In ’39 Alf was an Assistant at Port Pirie, also playing for the Proprietary Football Club. Despite losing the grand final match the following year, the team headed bush to have a barbeque and drinks. As part of the entertainment, Alf created a '"hit" with his "human magpie" stunts, his warble ringing through the night with remarkable effect.
WWII then caused so many plans and careers to be put on hold. Recruiting took place in many country areas, in the drive to enlist fit, healthy and single young men. Alfred fulfilled these criteria but was already married to Mavis. 31-year-old Alf enlisted at the Port Pirie Recruiting Office in December ’40 before being officially enlisted in Adelaide on the 30th January ’41 as SX11161
Following pre-embarkation leave Alf boarded the Ile de France in April ‘41sailing for the Middle East. Within months, his leadership skills were recognised with a promotion to Acting Sergeant.
Over October that year Alf attended several courses, attaining a distinction in a small arms course, with the note that he would ‘make a very good training instructor’ confident and conscientious– his teaching skills coming to the fore. He then joined the 2/48th Battalion where he quickly rose through the ranks of Corporal then Sergeant as he continued to attend Division School.
To support soldiers and families back home, prior to Christmas radio stations broadcast messages from the overseas troops, advertising what disc the serviceman could be heard from. Alf’s was 526. He also continued to keep in touch with friends back in Pirie, as did other young men. In November ’42 . Alf could only mention that he was in Egypt and in the thick of the fighting. All the young servicemen passed regards on to their Pirie friends claiming they were ‘in the peak of condition’.
Finally, Alf’s 2/48th was heading home with the unofficial, but proudly held title of Rats of Tobruk. The Pirie Recorder shared that ‘All sporting friends of Alf Willing will be pleased to know that that member of the A. I. F. may be visiting Pirie in the course of a few days. Alf was a prominent member of the old North team, and during the time he has been in the army he has never lost interest in the local game.’
Following leave, Alf was soon in Queensland, preparing for very different tropical conditions in New Guinea and a very different enemy. The humidity he experienced caused several outbreaks of dermatitis. He briefly returned to Queensland where he was promoted to Acting Warrant Officer 2 before then heading to Morotai, the Tarakan for the closing days of the war and his eventual discharge on the 28th November ‘45
At the conclusion of the War local enlistees’ names were placed on the Port Pirie Honor Roll
By ’46 Alf was appointed to Henley Beach School. Later, he moved to Victoria where he again took up cricket for Malvern. In March ’50 his team reached the semi-final, but Alf broke his nose at practice during the week and had no intention of playing the second day. However, he changed his mind when the opposing team, Kew were 2/120. Fortunately for Malvern he took 6/28, including the hat trick. Kew were all out for 231. This was a splendid follow-up to his 136 not out in Malvern's first innings. The local Sporting Globe enthused ‘For sheer grit Alf Willing (Malvern BSL) must take full marks for the way in which he swung the game for his side on the last day of the semifinal.’
In October that year the Argus was again praising Alf’s skills ‘Alf Willing's brilliant figures "of 9/15 helped Malvern A defeat Caulfield / Central out-right. Flighting the ball perfectly with pace off the pitch, he was practically unplayable. Alf’s skills with both bat and ball continued to be praised.

Alf married for a second time, to Beryl Enid Phelan with the two welcoming their son, Geoffrey Charles in August ’53.
Aged 71 Alf died on the 31st July 1980 and was buried in the Macedon Cemetery, Plot UN A 1A. Beryl lived to be 77 and died in October 93 and now rests with Alf. His headstone carries the poignant words ‘Loving loyal and Steadfast.’
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.