Alfred Slee
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown Jul 1876 |
| Place of Birth | Okehampton, Devon, England |
| Death | 17 Aug 1957, aged 81 |
| Place of Death | Kelmscott, Western Aaustralia |
| Age at Enlistment | 39 years, 6 months |
| Description |
5' 2" (1.57m) tall ; 126 lbs 57.153 kg ; fair complexion ; grey eyes ; fair hair |
| Occupation | Bricklayer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Mary Ann Slee |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 359 |
| Date of Enlistment | 7 Feb 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 44th Battalion, B Company / 11th Brigade, 3rd Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 6 Jun 1916 ‒ 21 Jul 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A29 Suevic |
| Date of Return | 1 Feb 1918 ‒ 18 Mar 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Balmoral Castle |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 7 Jul 1917 Messines Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Kelmscott War Memorial (South panel) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
On 14 Mar 1901 Alfred married Mary Ann Bower (b. 1873) at Taunton St Mary, Somerset, England. On 24 Nov 1911, bricklayer Alfred, and Mary Ann emigrated to Western Australia from London aboard the SS Orontes, an Orient Line ship. The journey took 43 days via Colombo.
Lived in Third Avenue, Kelmscott.
War Service
Three days after enlistment, Alfred was posted to the newly formed 'B' Coy, of the 44th Battalion. Following basic training in Northam they sailed aboard HMAT A29 Suevic fro Fremantle on 6 Jun 1916 for England where they disembarked on 18 Mar 1916. On arrival the battalion was sent to Larkhill on 22 Jul 1916 where during October, Alfred took 3 days unauthorised leave, resulting in a loss of 6 day's pay and the award of three days No.2 Field Punishment. On 25 Nov 1916 he proceeded with the battalion overseas to France by way of Southampton arriving there the next day.
On 7 Jul 1917 the unit War Diary makes no specific mention of casualties that day, but for the month, the unit lost 21 KIA, and 70 WIA. Alfred's injury was a gunshot wound to his scrotum, and after treatment from 9th Field Ambulance, and the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station on the 7th, he was admitted to the 54th General Hospital on 9 Jul 1916. Following treatment he spent three weeks in No 7 Convalescent Depot at Boulogne. He rejoined the battalion on 26 Aug 1917. A month later he fell ill and was seen by 10th Field Ambulance, and the 7th Canadian Stationary Hospital before being medical boarded in England and sent back to Australia (reason given was overage). There he was discharged by the 5th Military District on 2 Apr 1918.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1916 - 1937 Alfred and Mary Ann in Third Avenue Kelmscott, bricklayer. Mary Ann died 13 Sep 1942 aged 69. 1943 - 1957 Norman remains in Kelmscott. No children.
Notes