Alfred Benjamin Wilson

Alfred Wilson (Service No 3475) was born at Bulli, N.S.W.

When Alfred enlisted at the age of 18 he had already served 4 years in the Militia, he was single and employed as a driver. 

Alfred embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A68 Anchises with 9th Reinforcements, 55th Battalion on 24th January 1917.  The troops arrived in England on 27th March 1917 and after training, Alfred joined 33rd Battalion in France on 21st January 1918.

On 30th March 1918, while serving on the Western Front Alfred was admitted to hospital with a back sprain.  Alfred was a stretcher carrier, and his back injury was a result of his carrying wounded soldiers.  After his recovery Alfred returned to the Front.

On 22nd November 1918, Alfred was admitted to 3rd Australian General Hospital in France with broncho-pneumonia and died at 12.45 on 25th November.

He is buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, France; Plot V, Row E, Grave 9.

In an strange footnote, on 13th May 1918, Alfred had signed a Statutory Declaration stating his real name was Edwin Arthur Wilson - Edwin was Alfred's deceased brother.  Letters from his parents after the war in relation to headstone details, confirm Alfred had enlisted under his true name.  His parents could not offer any reason as to why he was claiming to be his brother, who had never enlisted. 

On 30th November 1922, and after many letters sent in an attempt to clarify Alfred's correct identity, his name was accepted as per his enlistment papers - Alfred Benjamin Wilson.