Alfred Cecil Clarence Curtis
From Our Contribution
 | |
| 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 |
Pre War
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