L/Cpl
Charles Alfred Akers
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1892 |
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Place of birth: Locksley, New South Wales, Australia |
General information
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Last known residence: Kulnura, New South Wales, Australian |
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Profession: Orchardist |
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Religion: Methodist |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Lance Corporal |
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Service number: 2516 |
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Enlistment date: 03/07/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, A.I.F., 35th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 13/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Augustus Wood, Passchendaele, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 25 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: XXIII Row: D Grave: 17 |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Charles Alfred Akers was the son of Mary Ellen and Alfred Akers. He was born around 1892 in Locksley, Victoria, Australia. Akers did not stay there, as his last known residence was Kulnura, New South Wales, where he worked as a fruit grower. He enlisted as a private in the 35th Battalion Australian Infantry Regiment (9th Australian Brigade, 3rd Australian Division).
Charles died the day after the First Battle of Passchendaele began. The attack began at 5.25 am. The 35th Battalion advanced with the 34th Battalion, in total confusion due to heavy shelling on the start line. However, heavy rain had flooded the battlefield and thick mud pulled at the advancing troops and soiled their weapons. They overran the machine gun posts at Defy Crossing, Hillside Farm and Augustus Wood on their way to their first objective. They then advanced along the Passchendaele Road to the second objective, the village of Passchendaele. Just before the village of Passchendaele they found wounded soldiers of the 66th Division from previous attacks, hiding in shell holes. Shortly after 3 pm they were forced to withdraw almost completely to their starting line. Due to the heavy fighting there were many shell holes, also present on 13 October 1917. At the moment when he and several others were lying in such a shell hole, Charles was hit by a shell. He died instantly.
Charles Alfred Akers is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery (Plot XXIII, Row D, Grave 17). His name is also on panel 124 in the commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial.
Charles died the day after the First Battle of Passchendaele began. The attack began at 5.25 am. The 35th Battalion advanced with the 34th Battalion, in total confusion due to heavy shelling on the start line. However, heavy rain had flooded the battlefield and thick mud pulled at the advancing troops and soiled their weapons. They overran the machine gun posts at Defy Crossing, Hillside Farm and Augustus Wood on their way to their first objective. They then advanced along the Passchendaele Road to the second objective, the village of Passchendaele. Just before the village of Passchendaele they found wounded soldiers of the 66th Division from previous attacks, hiding in shell holes. Shortly after 3 pm they were forced to withdraw almost completely to their starting line. Due to the heavy fighting there were many shell holes, also present on 13 October 1917. At the moment when he and several others were lying in such a shell hole, Charles was hit by a shell. He died instantly.
Charles Alfred Akers is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery (Plot XXIII, Row D, Grave 17). His name is also on panel 124 in the commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial.
Sources 5
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Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), RCDIG1063435). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
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Austrial Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920, (National Archives of Australia, Canberra (NAA), B2455, AKERS, C A). https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/ Sources used |
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AWM4 Class 23 - Infantry (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
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McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), 129. Sources used |
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Unit embarkation nomination rolls, 1914-18 War (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM8 23/52/2). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461715 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=9345d7c1-a4b2-44d7-904b-8db7a61a9760 |
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The AIF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=1921 |