Cpl
George Thomas Alford

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortejaar:
1894
Geboorteplaats:
Murroon, Victoria, Australië

Algemene Informatie

Laatst gekende woonplaats:
Berrybank, Victoria, Australië
Beroep:
Stationskruier
Geloof:
Methodist

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Australië
Strijdmacht:
Australian Imperial Force
Rang:
Corporal
Service nummer:
2556A
Dienstneming datum:
19/07/1915
Dienstneming plaats:
Melbourne, Victoria, Australië
Eenheden:
 —  Australian Infantry, 7th Bn.  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
04/10/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
Brick Kiln & Yard, Zonnebeke, België
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
23

Begraafplaats

Aeroplane Cemetery
Plot: III
Rij: C
Graf: 35

Onderscheidingen en medailles 2

British War Medal
Medaille
Victory Medal
Medaille

Points of interest 4

#1 Geboorteplaats
#2 Laatst gekende woonplaats
#3 Dienstneming plaats
#4 Plaats van overlijden (bij benadering)

Mijn verhaal

George Thomas Alford, a former porter, was born in June 1894 in Murroon, Victoria, Australia. He was the son of William John and Jane Alford. On July 19, 1915 he enlisted in Melbourne and embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on October 27, 1915, with the 6th reinforcement of the 7th Battalion, part of the 2nd Australian Brigade of the 1st Australian Division.

On the 4th of October 1917 the 1st Australian Division participated in the Battle of Broodseinde, a phase of the Third Battle of Ypres. The Division had to advance on the right of the village of Zonnebeke and had to capture and secure the Broodseinde Ridge and a part of the Passchendaele-Beselare Road. Its attack was carried by two Brigades. The 1st Australian Brigade and 2nd Australian Brigade. The 2nd Australian Brigade firstly attacked with the 8th Battalion. Once they had captured the first objective the 6th and 7th Battalions would move through to the second objective.

The 7th battalion was in position at about 03.30 a.m. While it lay waiting till the sign to attack the Battalion was frequently shelled. At 05.30 the German artillery laid down a heavy barrage on the rear assembly positions, causing heavy casualties. At the same time the 8th battalion advanced behind a creeping barrage. The 7th battalion left for the old frontline a half an hour later. When crossing the old frontline the 6th and 7th Battalions crowded on the left flank. Both Battalions quickly came under fire from Retaliation Farm, which was eventually taken by the 6th Battalion.

In the meanwhile the 8th Battalion had advanced through the marsh and tree stumps of Romulus and Remus Woods, north of the hamlet of Molenaarelsthoek. They arrived at the first objective, the red line, around 07.15 a.m. At 08.00 a.m. the 7th and 6th Battalions moved through the 8th Battalion and carried on the advance. While going up the ridge the 7th Battalion was now fired upon from a trench position near Celtic Wood and also from distant positions on the Keiberg. The Battalion managed to silence the position and started consolidating the Blue Line round 08.40 a.m.

No counter-attacks were launched and the Battalion kept on holding the line till they were relieved on the 8th of October.

George Thomas, aged 23, was killed in action on October 4, 1917. He was waiting in a shell hole for the barrage to lift, when a high explosive shell exploded killing him instantly. Corporal Alford was initially buried where he fell, south of Brick Kiln & Yard (28.D.28.c.40.70). His remains were exhumed and reinterred in the Aeroplane Cemetery, Plot III, Row C, Grave 35.

Bronnen 5

2nd Brigade Australian Infantry (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/2/30).
https://www.awm.gov.au/
Gebruikte bronnen
7th Battalion Australian Infantry (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/24/32).
https://www.awm.gov.au/
Gebruikte bronnen
Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), RCDIG1064166).
https://www.awm.gov.au/
Gebruikte bronnen
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920 (National Archives of Australia, Canberra (NAA), B2455).
https://www.naa.gov.au/
Gebruikte bronnen
Unit embarkation nominal rolls, 1914-18 War (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM8).
https://www.awm.gov.au/
Gebruikte bronnen

Meer informatie 4