Brooke, Alfred

No.1716 – Private Alfred Brooke – 16^th Battalion AIF

Alfred Brooke was born In Wellington New Zealand in 1885 though not much is known of his early years. Prior to the First World War he was living at Bay Street in Fremantle and was working as a labourer.

When he enlisted in the AIF he did not name any living relatives as his next of kin, but a Mrs. Ada Hudson of Fremantle. Joining the AIF on the 15^th January 1915, Alfred was given a medical examination and found to be 5 feet 5 inches in height; weight of 122 lbs; chest measurement of 33-36 inches; fresh complexion; blue eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England.

Assigned to No.5 Depot, Alfred was soon allotted to the 4^th Reinforcements to the 16^th Battalion AIF. This group trained at Blackboy Hill Camp until they embarked at Fremantle on the 19^th April 1915 aboard the “Argyllshire”. Only a short time was spent in Egypt as after their arrival Alfred’s reinforcement group were quickly sent on to Gallipoli.

Alfred was officially taken on strength by the 16^th Battalion at Anzac on the 4^th June 1915. He served through the next few months of the campaign and survived the battles of early August when the 16^th Battalion were heavily engaged with the Turks. On the 27^th August 1915 when attempting to take Hill 60, Alfred was severely wounded in the thigh. He was sent to the 16^th Casualty Clearing Station and then transferred to the hospital ship which took him to Mudros. His wound was deemed serious enough for evacuation to Malta where he arrived on the 2^nd September 1915. Only a week was spent in hospital here and he was transferred on to England. After arriving in England he was sent to the 1^st Southern General Hospital at Egbaston Birmingham.

The next two months were spent in this hospital and when he had recovered Alfred was sent to Depot Camp at Monte Video at Weymouth on the 15^th November 1915. On the 15^th January 1916 Alfred arrived back in Alexandria to rejoin the 16^th Battalion who were then in camp at Ismailia. On the 11^th February he was charged with being drunk while on active service and was fined as well as 2 days of Field Punishment No.2. This was his only indiscretion and he departed Egypt with the 16^th Battalion on the 1^st June 1916, arriving in Marseilles on the 9^th June 1916.

Upon arrival in France the battalion travelled north to the region of Armentieres. On the 23^rd June 1916 Alfred was killed by lightning and unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be any more information about his death. He was buried at Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension Plot K.5 by Reverend W Strahan.