Alfred Ensor Hand

Alfred Ensor Hand

Personal Information
Date of Birth	22 Aug 1916
Place of Birth	Kelmscott, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	24 years, 11months
Description	5'8" (1.73m) tall ; 126lbs 57.153 kg ; fresh complexion ; grey eyes ; fair hair ; scars on abdomen
Occupation	Garage attendant
Religion	Congregational
Address	24 Mint street, Victoria Park, Western Austrtalia
Next of Kin	Mother , Mrs Jenny Hand
Military Information
Reg Number	45164 & A51585
Date of Enlistment	10 Jul 1941
Rank	Leading Aircraftsman
Post War Details
Medals	Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

Had seven years working with Lynas Motors Service station and had undertaken some Technical studies in both motor mechanic and aero engineering.

War Service

Having applied on 16 May 1941, Alfred was enlisted at the No. 4 Recruiting Centre in Perth on 10 Jul 1941 as an Aircraftsman Level 1. He had attempted to enlist on 19 Apr 1940 but was found then to be unfit. At No. 4 Recruit Depot at Pearce he completed a Recruit Drill Course from 10 Jul until 8 Aug 1941. On 11 Aug 1941 he was posted to No. 4 School of Technical Training in Adelaide where between 20 Aug and 14 Nov 1941 he completed the No 66 Technical (Fitter) Course. Next stop was the No. 1 Engineering School at Ascot Vale where he undertook a Fitters Course form 23 Nov 1941 until 20 Feb 1942. As a result of his studies he was promoted Leading Aircraftsman on 26 Mar 1942.

In 1 Mar 1942 Alfred was posted to No. 2 Service Flight Training School at Wagga Wagga and on 26 Mar 1942 he was promoted Leading Aircraftsman. Shortly afterwards on 7 Apr 1942 he moved to the No 5 Aircraft Depot before going back to No 1 Engineering School to undertake the No 49 Fitter Conversion Course between 23 Jul and 12 Sep 1942. Successful, he was remustered the next day as a Fitter IIA, and as was normal he reverted to Aircraftsman Level 1. On 16 Sep 1942 Alfred was posted to the No 1 Elementary Flying Training School at Parafield where once again he was promoted Leading Aircraftsman (16 Nov 1942). He moved again on 20 Feb 1943 when he joined No 14 Aircraft Repair Depot at Gorrie in the Northern Territory, working as a Fitter/Rigger.

On 18 Sep 1944 he was posted south to No. 5 Personnel Depot who then sent him on to the No.4 Aircraft Depot. Alfred spent more than a year with them through until after the cessation of hostilities. ON 4 Jan 1956 he moved to the No. 25 Squadron at Cunderdin. With the wind up of the Squadron, Alfred was sent on 16 May 1946 to the No. 5 Personnel Depot for discharge which occurred on 21 May 1946.

During the National Emergency in 1951, Alfred enlisted in the Active Reserve for 5 years on 25 Jul 1951, aged 34 years, 8 months and mustered as a Fitter IIA with 11 Squadron. He undertook four periods of training during 1951 and one in 1953, On 12 May 1954 he was posted to the Base Squadron at Pearce Airbase, and on 14 Jun 1954 transferred to the General Reserve.

Post War

Between enlistments he was a service station manager for C.W. Houghton at the Corner of Oats street & Albany road in Victoria Park.