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Alfred Slee

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Alfred Slee
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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 Australia
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


Early Life

Alfred was born in Okehampton Devon England in July 1876.

Marriage

Alfred married Mary Ann Bower on Taunton St Mary, Somerset England on 24 November 1911.

Residence

Alfred and Mary lived at Third Avenue, Kelmscott. The couple emigrated to WA from London aboard the "SS Orontes" the journey taking 43 days via Colombo.

Death

Alfred died at the age of 81 on 17 August 1957. The service was held at Karrakatta.


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 from 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 from 10 Oct 1917. Alfred rejoined the battalion on 26 Aug 1917, but a month later he fell ill and was seen by 10th Field Ambulance and the 7th Canadian Stationary Hospital before being sent to England on 5 Dec 1917 for a medical board assessment of his ability to continue on. The result was a decision to send him 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.

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