The AIF Project

Bernard Rourke ALSTON

Regimental number626
Date of birth19 July 1892
Place of birthAlexandra, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationBank clerk
AddressUnion Bank, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Height5' 8.5"
Weight155 lbs
Next of kinMrs H.W. Alston, Alexandra, Victoria
Previous military service6th Australian Infantry
Enlistment date15 August 1914
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll18 August 1914
Place of enlistmentBlackboy Hill, Western Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name11th Battalion, F Company
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on 2 November 1914
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll51st Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 23 September 1918
Discharge date9 February 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli Campaign), 2 March 1915.

Tried by Field General Court Martial, Mudros Island, 14 March 1915, of disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer: found guilty, and awarded 3 months' Field Punishment No 2; sentence reduced to 5 weeks, 15 March 1915.

Wounded in action, Gallipoli, no date stated (gun shot wound, right arm and paralysis of chest), 19 May 1915; evacuated to Egypt; discharged to duty, 29 June 1915.

Attached to Alexandria District Headquarters,1 January 1916.

Admitted to No 15 General Hospital, Alexandria, 26 February 1916 (gonorrhoea); transferred to 17th General Hospital, 26 February 1916; discharged to duty, 4 May 1916, and marched into 3rd Training Bn, Tel el Kebir, the same day.

Transferred to 51st Bn, 20 May 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 7 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 14 June 1916.

Taken on strength of 51st Bn, 23 July 1916.

Wounded in action, 14-16 August 1916 (subsequently confirmed as 15 August 1916), and taken prisoner of war and sent to Manheim, Germany.

Repatriated to England, arrived 14 June 1918 (previously reported as transferred to Switzerland).

Admitted to King George Hospital, 14 June 1918 (tuberculosis, lung; gunshot wound, right shoulder - severe); transferred to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 17 July 1918; to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 26 July 1918; discharged to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 26 July 1918.

Married Laura MONTGOMERY, at Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Weymouth, 25 August 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Runic', 23 September 1918; disembarked Melbourne, 26 November 1918; discharged Melbourne (medically unfit), 9 February 1919.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death25 April 1956
Age at death63
SourcesNAA: B2455, ALSTON Bernard Rourke

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