MELDRUM, Alfred Coutts
| Service Number: | VX29726 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 June 1940, Caulfield, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/22nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Huntly, Scotland, 2 May 1904 |
| Home Town: | Stanhope, Campaspe, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Died at sea (Montevideo Maru), South China Sea, 1 July 1942, aged 38 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Rabaul Memorial, Rabaul Montevideo Maru Memorial, Stanhope Cenotaph, Stanhope Montevideo Maru Story Boards, Stanhope Montevideo Maru Tragedy Commemorative Mural, Stanhope R.S.S.A.I.L.A. WW2 Honor Roll |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Private, VX29726 | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX29726, 2nd/22nd Infantry Battalion, Caulfield, Vic. |
Help us honour Alfred Coutts Meldrum's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of John and Elspeth Meldrum, of Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Alfred had previously served 3 1/2 years int he Gordon Highlanders. He moved to Australia in 1904. Soon after arriving he obtained work on a dairy farm in McGrath Raod, Stanhope.
Alf was interested in any form of music, he loved playing the mouth organ.
It was in Stanhope on June 24 1940 that Alf enlisted in the Australian Army. He was attached to the newly formed 2/22nd Battalion which was called Lark Force.
Alf played the side drim in the Battalion's Band, which was made up of volunteers from the Brunswick Salvation Army. The band led the Battalion on a farewell march through the crowded streets of Melbourne before its departure for Rabaul.
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