The AIF Project

Atolf Aleksanter AALTO

Regimental number3676
Date of birth2 September 1893
Place of birthNystad, Finland
Other NamesAbalf Aleksanter
ReligionLutheran
OccupationMiner
Age at embarkation22
Height5' 10.25"
Weight171 lbs
Next of kinFather, A A Aalto, Russia
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date29 July 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name5th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/22/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 23 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll5th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


'For gallantry near Strazeel on 14 June 1918.'
Recommendation date: 19 and 22 June 1918

FateReturned to Australia 5 April 1919
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: 12 February 1919

Discharge date10 July 1919
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
SourcesNAA: B2455, AALTO Atolf Aleksanter

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.