Regimental number | 3676 |
Date of birth | |
Place of birth | Nystad, Finland |
Other Names | Abalf Aleksanter |
Religion | Lutheran |
Occupation | Miner |
Age at embarkation | 22 |
Height | 5' 10.25" |
Weight | 171 lbs |
Next of kin | Father, A A Aalto, Russia |
Previous military service | Nil |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 5th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/22/2 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 5th Battalion |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal 'For gallantry near Strazeel on 14 June 1918.' Recommendation date: |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Military Medal 'In an enemy counter-attack on our posts near STRAZEELE on 14th June, 1918, Private AALTO, who had just taken up his position in a new Lewis gun post, found himself heavily attacked, and, realising that his platoon post was depending on his protection of the flank, he continued to work his gun, caused the enemy many casualties and prevented them from getting round the flank of the platoon post. After having fired 600 rounds his gun was red hot and stopped. Private AALTO then withdrew under heavy fire carrying his gun.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23 Date: |
Discharge date | |
Other details |
Arrived in Melbourne, 26 December 1912. War service: Egypt, Western Front Taken on strength, 5th Bn, Serapeum, 22 February 1916. Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 25 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 31 March 1916. Admitted to Field Ambulance, 17 June 1916; rejoined Bn, 22 June 1916 (no details recorded). Found guilty, 17 July 1916, of when on active service being absent without leave, 1400-1600, 17 July: awarded 4 days' Field Punishment No. 2. Admitted to 1st Field Ambulance, 31 May 1917 (diptheria), and admitted to 1st Australian Division Rest Station; rejoined unit, 8 June 1917. Admitted to 3rd Canadian General Hospital, Boulogne, 21 November 1917; transferred to England, 29 November 1917, and admitted to Horton, c/o London War Hospital, Epsom (trench fever); to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 2 January 1918; discharged to furlough, 4 January 1918, to report to No. 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 18 January 1918. Admitted to 2nd Auxiliary Hospital, Southall, 9 January 1918 (pains and debility, post trench fever); discharged, 29 November 1918, to report to No. 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veney, 7 February 1918. Marched out to Overseas Training Brigade, 27 February 1918. Admitted to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, 16 March 1918; discharged, 19 March 1918; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 4 days. Proceeded overseas to France, 5 June 1918; rejoined Bn, 12 June 1918. Admitted to 2nd Australian Field Ambulance, 19 July 1918 (jaundice, Weil's disease); transferred to New Zealand Stationary Hospital, 20 July 1918; discharged, 30 August 1918; rejoined Bn, 2 September 1918. Awarded the Military Medal. On leave to United Kingdom, 15 January 1919. Admitted to North West Hospital, Hampstead, 18 January 1919 (mumps); discharged, 7 February 1919, and granted furlough to report to No. 2 Command Depot, 21 February 1919; leave extended until 22 February 1919; further extension of leave until 1 March 1919; then to 8 March 1919. Marched into No. 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 10 March 1919. Commenced return to Australia from Devonport on board HT 'Armagh', 5 April 1919; admitted to ship's hospital, 28 April 1919; discharged, 16 May 1919; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 19 days; disembarked Melbourne, 18 May 1919; discharged, 10 July 1919. Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Sources | NAA: B2455, AALTO Atolf Aleksanter |