Alfred Cecil Clarence Curtis

Alfred Cecil Clarence Curtis

Personal Information
Date of Birth	18 Jun 1894
Place of Birth	Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Death	25 Dec 1987, aged 93
Place of Death	Camillo, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	20 years, 2 months
Description	5'8½" (1.74m) tall ; 141 lbs 63.956 kg ; fair complexion ; hazel eyes ; brown hair
Occupation	Timber worker
Religion	Church of England
Address	Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr Alfred Curtis
Military Information
Reg Number	959
Date of Enlistment	17 Aug 1914
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	11th Battalion, Headquarters / 3rd Brigade, 1st Division
Date of Embarkation	2 Nov 1914 ‒ 13 Dec 1914
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A11 Ascanius
Date of Return	5 Jul 1916 ‒ 2 Aug 1916
Ship Returned On	HMAT A63 Karoola
Fate	Returned to Australia
Monument	Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford)
Medals	1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal

War Service

An original member of the 11th Battalion, Alfred undertook training at Blackboy Hill camp and travelled with the battalion on the first convoy to Egypt aboard HMAT A11 Ascanius, disembarking in Alexandria on 13 Dec 1914. However at Mena in Egypt, he was transferred to the reinforcement group on 27 Feb 1915 (no reason evident in his records). He travelled from Alexandria on 2 Mar 1915 to Lemnos aboard the HMAT A23 Suffolk, and there on 10 Apr he again joined the battalion proper, only on 24 May to again be transferred to the reinforcement draft.

Before he could join the battalion at Gallipoli he fell ill with pneumonia requiring him to be evacuated to Egypt on 9 Jun 1915 where he entered the A & NZ Convalescent Hospital in Helouan. Recovered, he embarked on the HMT Scotian for Gallipoli on 4 Jul 1915, rejoining the battalion on 10 Jul 1915. The next day he was seen by the 1st Field Ambulance followed by the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station. Diagnosed with chronic pleurisy he was evacuated aboard HMHS Gloucester Castle on 11 July, disembarking in Malta on 20 Jul 1915. On Malta he was admitted to the St Georges Hospital. Treated for Tubercle of the Lung, on 17 Aug 1915 he was transferred to the All Saints Camp. On 2 Dec 1915 he was embarked on the HMT Nile for Alexandria, arriving here on 7 Dec 1915. After a short time in headquarters units he was sent on 20 May 1916 to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital where they decided that with cardiac irregularity and Asthma he should return to Australia. Alfred was discharged by the 5th Military District on 21 Aug 1916.

Post War

In 1921 Alfred (Albert) married Vida Isabel Woodhall in Perth. Vida died 30 Nov 1966 aged 71 in Kelmscott. Electoral Roll entries - 1925 a mill hand in Jarrahdale; 1936 - 1943 timber worker on Albany road, Bedfordale; 1949 -1958 Karragullen, mill manager; 1968 21 Sixth avenue (Ottaway street), Kelmscott; 1972 - 1980 at 9 Verrill way, Armadale with Catherine Bridget (who died 23 Sep 1988 aged 95 in Armadale).

Notes

While military records had his name as Alfred, both BDM, Cemetery and Electoral Roll entries are for Albert C.C. Curtis

External Links

• AIF Project
• RSL Memorial