The AIF Project

Henry Clarence ALKER

Regimental number39
Date of birth16 November 1892
Place of birthPort Pirie, South Australia
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSoldier
AddressFort Largs, Adelaide, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Height5' 10"
Weight162 lbs
Next of kinFather, J C Alker, Naracoorte, South Australia
Previous military serviceServed for 4.5 years in the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery; still serving at time of AIF enlistment.
Enlistment date23 June 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll31 December 1915
Place of enlistmentAdelaide, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentGunner
Unit nameSiege Artillery Brigade
AWM Embarkation Roll number13/49/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A67 Orsova on 17 July 1915
Rank from Nominal RollGunner
Unit from Nominal Roll36th Heavy Artillery Brigade
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


'Shewing great coolness and courage on 21st Nov. 1916, when the Battery was bombarding the Guards Trench in M14a, in support of operations that were being undertaken by the Canadian Division. This N.C.O. alone acted as Repeating Station between the F.O.O. and the Battery at a very exposed position at M19b68 consisting only of a shell hole which was under exceptionally heavy shell fire. He had to go over his line twice and mend it and his action during this heavy shelling enabled the Battery to remain in touch with the F.O.O. and thus complete the Bombardment. Bdr Alker has been previously recommended for the D.C.M. for showing great coolness and devotion to duty when acting as a linesman.'

FateReturned to Australia 13 March 1918
Medals

Military Medal


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103
Date: 29 June 1917

Bar to Military Medal


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 9
Date: 24 January 1918

Discharge date27 July 1918
Other details

War service: Western Front

Disembarked Boulogne, 27 February 1916.

Appointed Acting Bombardier, 54th Battery, 1 April 1916.

Admitted to 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance, 3 October 1916 (defective denture); discharged to Corps Rest Station, 3 October 1916; rejoined unit, 6 October 1916.

On leave to England, 27 November 1916; rejoined unit from leave, 11 December 1916.

Promoted Bombardier, 16 December 1916.

Awarded Military Medal, 14 January 1917.

Admitted to 6th Australian Field Ambulance, 27 February 1917, and same day to Corps Collecting Station; transferred to 45th Casualty Clearing Station, 28 February 1917; to Ambulance Train No 31, 2 March 1917, and admitted to 51st General Hospital, Etaples, 3 March 1917; discharged to Base Depot, Etaples, 4 April 1917; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 37 days. Rejoined 54th Battery, in the field, 19 April 1917.

Reverted to Gunner at own request, 24 April 1917.

Found guilty, 19 May 1917, of while on Active Service neglecting to obey billeting orders: awarded 7 days' Field Punishment No 2.

Awarded Bar to Military Medal, 17 September 1917.

Wounded in action, 24 October 1917 (gun shot wound, left shoulder and face), and admitted to 69th Field Ambulance, 25 October 1917, and transferred same day to 11th Casualty Clearing Station. Transferred to 3rd Stationary Hospital, Rouen, 26 October 1917; to England, 31 October 1917, and admitted to Reading War Hospital, 2 November 1917. Transferred to 1st Southern General Hospital, Birmingham, 3 December 1917; to Queen's Hospital, Sidcup, 1 January 1918; to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 21 January 1918; discharged to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 5 February 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Dunvegan Castle', 13 March 1918; disembarked Melbourne, 14 June 1918; discharged, 27 July 1918.

Medals: Military Medal & Bar, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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