Alexander Barnett

Western Mail 30 Jul 1915 page 1S
Part of the Lone Pine Memorial
Personal Information
Date of Birth	not known
Place of Birth	Perth, Western Australia
Death	25-28 Apr 1918
Place of Death	Anzac Cove, Gallipoli Peninsular, Egypt
Age at Enlistment	29 years, 11 months
Description	5'7" (1. m) tall; weight 170 lbs ( kg); dark complexion, brown eyes, and dark hair.
Occupation	mill hand
Religion	Church of England
Address	Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Sister Mrs Maria Clarke
Military Information
Reg Number	884
Date of Enlistment	10 Sep 1914
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	12th Battalion D Company / 3rd Brigade, 1st Division
Date of Embarkation	2 Nov 1914 - 13 Dec 1914
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A7 Medic
Fate	Killed in Action 25-28 Apr 1915
Monument	Jarrahdale
Medals	1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal

War Service

Alex's records are almost non existent. He was allocated to the 12th Battalion as it was forming, with both G and H Companies (later on 1 Jan 1916 to combine to form D Company) raised in WA. While the majority of the battalion left Hobart aboard HMAT A2 Geelong for Albany where the first convoy formed up, the Western Australian members were aboard HMAT A7 Medic along with the 11th Battalion, joining the convoy outside Rottnest Island.

They sailed first to Colombo and then Aden to before reaching their destination at Alexandria. The West Australian joined the bulk of the battalion at Mena camp on the outskirts of Cairo. On 27 Feb 1915 they received orders to embark aboard ship in Alexandria on 1 Mar 1915.

They were allotted to the HMT Devanha, but their destination was not known until they had put to sea. On the 4th they arrived at Mudros Harbour on Lemnos Island where they continued their training before being part of the covering force that went ashore first at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsular.

His file contains an entry dated 2 May 1915 to the effect that he was wounded in action between 25 and 28 April 1915. A 6 Nov 1915 entry declared that he had been killed in action.

Alex's effects were sent to Australia with HMAT A31 Ajana. Alexander's only brother Charles was killed on 30th May 1916 at Fromelles in France, leaving only their sister to survive them. Given that Alexander was buried at sea from HMHS Norman it is possible that he actually died of wounds received rather than KIA particularly since he was initially reported as Wounded in Action.

Notes

Memorialised on Lone Pine Memorial Panel 35. Declared KIA by memorandum dated 6 Nov 1915.

Some debate occurred as to his fate following a friend in the 11th Battalion reporting that he had seen Alexander in he Luna Park extension of the 1st Australian General Hospital in Cairo. There is also mention of his brother having been advised that Alex was better and had returned to the Dardanelles.

Authorities can find no additional information or records to sustain the story and stick with the death date as 25-28 April.