Regimental number | 39 |
Date of birth | |
Place of birth | Port Pirie, South Australia |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Soldier |
Address | Fort Largs, Adelaide, South Australia |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 22 |
Height | 5' 10" |
Weight | 162 lbs |
Next of kin | Father, J C Alker, Naracoorte, South Australia |
Previous military service | Served for 4.5 years in the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery; still serving at time of AIF enlistment. |
Enlistment date | |
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
Place of enlistment | Adelaide, South Australia |
Rank on enlistment | Gunner |
Unit name | Siege Artillery Brigade |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 13/49/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A67 Orsova on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Gunner |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 36th 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.'
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Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Military Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103 Date: Bar to Military Medal Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 9 Date: |
Discharge date | |
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 |