Benjamin McALEER

Regimental number162
Place of birthLarne, Co Antrim, Ireland
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationLabourer
Addressc/o A Bircham, Whytecliff Estate, Albion, Brisbane, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation36
Height5' 7.25"
Weight140 lbs
Next of kinSister, Mrs Bircham, No 1 Boundary Street, Brisbane, Queensland
Previous military serviceServed for 8 years in the Royal Garrison Artillery.
Enlistment date3 March 1915
Place of enlistmentBrisbane, Queensland
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name25th Battalion, A Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/42/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A60 Aeneas on 29 June 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll31st Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 9 March 1919
Discharge date2 July 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Brisbane, 15 June 1915, disembarked Suez, 4 August 1915, onward movement details not known. Admitted sick (dysentery) to Hospital Ship 'Rewa' from 25th Bn, Gallipoli Peninsula, 26 October 1915; disembarked Malta and admitted to St Andrews Hospital, 2 November 1915; embarked on Hospital Ship 'Lanfranc' for movement to Egypt, 2 February 1916; admitted to No 1 Auxiliary Hospital, Heliopolis, 5 February 1916 (dysentery); discharged to duty, 19 February 1916.

Found guilty, 28 February 1916, of (1) disobeying orders, (2) drunk in town and urinating in lines: awarded 7 days' confined to barracks and fined 2 shillings and 6 pence. Found guilty, 5 March 1916, of (1) while a defaulter being absent without leave from 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm same date, (2) drunk in town, (3) absent from camp after being warned for duty: deprived 28 days' pay.

Transferred to 2nd Pioneer Bn, 8 March 1916.

Transferred to 31st Bn, 8 April 1916.

Found guilty, 24 April 1916, of being absent from parade at 1530 hrs, 22 April 1916: awarded 2 hours' pack drill. Found guilty, 11 May 1916, of being absent without leave from 1510 hrs 9 May 1916 to 0615 hrs 10 May 1916: awarded 24 hours' Field Punishment No.2 and forfeiture of 2 days' pay.

Transferred to Base Details 8th Training Bn, 29 May 1916.

Proceeded to England: embarked Alexandria, 6 June 1916, disembarked Plymouth, 16 June 1916.

Found guilty, 23 July 1916, of overstaying leave from midnight 17 July 1916 to 1150 hrs 19 July 1916: awarded forfeiture of 10 days' pay.

Proceded to France, embarked Folkestone aboard 'Princess Henrietta', 31 December 1916; disembarked Etaples and marched in to 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot, 1 January 1917. Rejoined 31st Bn, 4 January 1917.

Found guilty, 12 January 1917, of being absent from parade: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No.2.

Admitted to 15th Field Ambulance, 27 March 1917, (Rheumatism); transferred to 8th Stationary Hospital, 3 April 1917, (Rheumatic Fever); embarked Boulogne, aboard Hospital Ship "St Denis" 11 April 1917; disembarked London, 12 April 1917; admitted to 1st London General Hospital (sub acute Rheumatism), 12 April 1917. Marched out to No.4 Command Depot (Draft), 15 June 1917. Marched in to Overseas Training Depot, 15 June 1917.

Proceded overseas to France, embarked Southampton, 16 July 1917; disembarked Havre, and marched in to 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot, 17 July 1917. Marched out to 31st Bn, 31 July 1917. Rejoined 31st Bn 1 August 1917.

Found guilty, 9 July 1917, of being absent without leave from 9.00 am, 2 July 1917, to 10.45 pm, 5 July 1917: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No.2 and forfeiture of 14 days' pay. Found guilty, 8 November 1917, of being absent without leave from 2.00 pm, 2 November 1917, to 4.00 pm, 3 November 1917: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No.2 and forfeiture of 9 days' pay.

Detached for duty at 8th Brigade Headquarters Police Section, 3 February 1918. Attachment ceased and returned to 31st Bn, 28 February 1918. Proceeded to United Kingdom on leave, 26 September 1918. Reported late from furlough, 11 November 1918; lateness excused on medical grounds. Taken off draft for return to France, at Southampton, for return to Australia, 3 January 1919. Commenced return to Australia, embarked Southampton on board Kashmir', 9 March 1919; disembarked Brisbane; discharged (medically unfit), 2 July 1919.

Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, McALEER Benjamin