Alfred Edward James Tresidder
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 4 Oct 1898 |
| Place of Birth | Padstow, England |
| Death | 14 Oct 1963, aged 65 |
| Place of Death | Narrogin, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 41 years, 11 months |
| Description | 5'4" (1.63m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; dark brown hair |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Address | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs. Nellie Edith Tresidder |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W242752 |
| Date of Enlistment | 23 Sep 1940 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 26th Australian Employment Company |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
Pre War
On 18 Aug 1923 Alfred sailed from London aboard the SS Ormue for Fremantle. He was described as a 24 year old Farm Labourer from Duke street, Padstow, in Cornwall. Electoral Roll entries: 1925 c/o M. Lebad, Katanning, farm hand; 1936 at Kentdale, labourer; 1937 at M.R.R., Red Lake, labourer.
During 1941 Alfred married Nellie Edith Bark in Perth. Nellie died on 24 Sep 1967 aged 65 in Narrogin. A son Robert died on 8 Mar 1944.
War Service
On 23 Sep 1940 Alfred was called up for full time service and he was allocated to the 10th Australian Garrison Battalion before transferring to the 5th Australian Garrison Battalion on 27 Jan 1941. On 20 Apr 1941 he was posted to 'Y' Company, the militia company, but as a full time member. On 1 Jul 1943 he was deemed to be proficient, but forfeited this when on 26 Aug 1943 he was found guilty of Neglecting to Obey Garrison Orders by smoking, and not being in possession of his rifle. Fined £2 ($4) and awarded 7 days Confined to Barracks.
On 23 Feb 1944 Alfred was transferred to the 26th Australian Employment Company in Melville. He was again granted proficiency pay from 26 Feb 1944, but had it withdrawn again on 1 Aug 1944 when he failed to pass a test. On 18 Aug 1944 his medical status was changed to B2 (feet) with only restricted marching allowed. As a result on 9 Sep 1944 he was detached to Western Command Bulk Issue Petrol and Oil Depot (BIPOD) at Davilak, and then on 10 Oct 1944 to the 10th Australian Base Stores Platoon RAE detachment at Goomalling, returning to the Employment Company on 7 November. On 14 Dec 1944 Alfred was detached to the HQ 5th Australian Salvage Depot. On 21 Dec 1944 he was yet again granted proficiency pay before being detached on 11 Jan 1945 to the 9th Advanced Ammunition Sub Depot at Guildford where he remained until 2 Jun 1945. His return to the employment company perhaps as a result of his having been admitted to the Bruce Rock District Hospital on 17 May 1945 complaining of debility and muscular rheumatism.
On 20 May 1945 Alfred was discharged from hospital and from 11 Jun until 5 Sep 1945 he was detached to the Western Command Bulk Issue Petrol and Oil Depot at Forrestdale. On 10 Sep 1945 he was detached to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot before on 9 Oct 1945 being admitted to 75th Australian Camp Hospital for treatment for scabies. Released on 22 Oct 1945 he was with the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot until 6 Nov 1945 when he returned to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot where he was discharged on 21 Nov 1945.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at Narrogin, labourer;
In July 1963 a Social worker from the Services Canteens Trust Fund wrote to clarify his service record as they had an urgent request from him for assistance.
Notes
During the period 1939 - 1945 some unit names changed more than once. In the case of Australian Employment Companies they were also known as Works Companies, Labour Companies, Labour Units, Labour Corps. For sake of consistency I have adopted the term Employment Company. The role they played did not change with title. They were established to ensure that the Australian Defence Force had a large force of soldiers dedicated to essential labouring tasks, providing the physical labour needed to maintain the war effort and support the fighting forces.
Of the total of 39 Companies, 11 were part or fully manned by non British citizens known then as 'aliens'. These alien companies were not issued with arms.