Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Alfred August Paget Biography – By Luke Ciccozzi

1. Life before the war

Alfred August Paget was born in Richmond, Victoria, 1891. His father was Richard Beaumont Paget. When growing up he moved to McLaren Vale, Onkaparinga in South Australia. His occupation was a famer before heading to war. Alfred was not married before he enlisted in the army on the 25th of February 1916 in Adelaide.

2. Life during the war

Engineers, also known as sappers (roads and bridge repairmen) were essential to the running of the war. Without their skill set, other Allied Forces would have found it difficult to cross the muddy and shell-covered ground of the Western Front. Their responsibilities included constructing the lines of defence (trenches), temporary bridges, tunnels, observation posts, communication lines and roads.  The skills of some engineers went as far as building showers and bathing facilities and offering mechanical solutions to the problems associated with fighting at all fronts.     

There was nothing glamorous about the work of engineers during World War One. For example, the construction of trenches was filthy, smelly and riddled with diseases. The quantity and quality of food was quite poor which mainly consisted of canned corn beef, bread and biscuits. By the winter of 1916 there was a flour shortage, so bread was made with dried ground turnips. Food was often repetitive, boring and at times considered a luxury.

Alfred August Paget, at 24 years of age, service number 9655, was enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force Unit, on February the 25th, 1916. He was part of the 11th Field Company, Australian Engineers.

The Unit embarked from Outer Harbour, South Australia, on board the HMAT A29 Suevic on 31st May 1916. Alfred’s Rank on enlistment was as a ‘Sapper’ which is the equivalent to the rank of a Private and Driver.

Alfred was part of the famous Battle of Messiness on the Western Front in West Flanders, Belgium, June 7th, 1917. During this battle the engineers assisted the Messiness offensive that was designed to force enemy troops to withdraw from the main battle front of Vimy – Arras, France.  The battle demonstrated tactical success through careful planning and overwhelming firepower that led the Australians to victory. The battle of Messines was the first time Australian and New Zealanders had fought side by side since the Gallipoli campaign of 1915.

Alfred was also a part of the Mont St Quentin battle during 1819. Alfred and his team of engineers helped repair and save a bridge that crossed the Somme River. This allowed the Australian soldiers to get across and push back Germany.

Alfred August Paget returned to Australia on the 12th June 1919, after serving his country for three years, achieving a last rank of Second Corporal. Alfred was promoted to Second Corporal on January 15th, 1918. This rank allowed him to govern 10 to 12 engineers. He was awarded a Military Medal for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire.

3. Life after the war

Alfred returned from the war on a boat called Themistocles on the 12th of June 1919. When he arrived back to Australia, he decided to leave the Australian Army on the 8th of September 1919. Later in his life Alfred got married. Unfortunately, he passed away due to heart failure on the 24th of December 1954. He and his wife were buried at O'Halloran Hill Anglican Christ Church Cemetery, South Australia.

4. Anzac spirit

Every solider that fought for Australia during World War One showed true Anzac spirit. Some Anzac qualities each solider shared were bravery, courage, discipline and mateship. Australian soldiers sacrificed lots for their country and we should be grateful and show gratitude for their work. Their efforts would have not been accomplished without their strong Anzac spirit that pushed them until the end of the war. Alfred reflected the Anzac spirit when he showed bravery while placing mines or setting up wire along trenches during the war. During main battles, Alfred would have been repairing and setting up defences while under fire.

Bibliography

Person, history year 9, accessed 1 March 2018

Returned & Services League of Australia SA Branch 2015, RSL Virtual War Memorial, accessed 24 March 2018, <https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/people/232834>.

National Archives of Australia 2018, NAA: B2455, PAGET ALFRED AUGUST, Australian Government, accessed 26 March 2018, <https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8004862>.

Australian War Memorial 2010, AWM4 Subclass 14/30 - 11th Field Company, Australian Engineers, accessed 27 March 2018, <https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people>.

UNSW Australia 2010, The AIF Project, accessed 28 March 2018, <https://aif.adfa.edu.au/search?type=search&name=Alfred+August+Paget®Num=9655&place=s>.

Tripod.com 2012, A 29. HMAT Suevic, accessed 25 March 2018, <http://alh-research.tripod.com/ships_lh.htm>.