BURGOYNE, Alfred William
| Service Number: | 1808 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 April 1916, Resident at 83 Fullarton Rd Norwood. |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 33rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Port Augusta Northern Area, South Australia, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Norwood (SA), South Australia |
| Schooling: | Public School, Norwood; Prince Alfred College, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Manager |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Villers Bretonneux, Departement de la Somme, France, 7 May 1918, age not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Norwood Primary School Honour Board, Norwood War Memorial, Port Augusta Davenport WW1 Memorial, Port Augusta RSL Hall Circular Honour Roll, Soldiers' Memorial Band Rotunda, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Apr 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1808, 43rd Infantry Battalion, Resident at 83 Fullarton Rd Norwood. | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Aug 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1808, 43rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Ballarat embarkation_ship_number: A70 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Oct 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, Third Ypres, Gazetted Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95 Date: 27 June 1918 | |
| 30 Apr 1918: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 33rd Infantry Battalion | |
| 7 May 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1808, 33rd Infantry Battalion, "Peaceful Penetration - Low-Cost, High-Gain Tactics on the Western Front", --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 1808 awm_unit: 33rd Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Lance Corporal awm_died_date: 1918-05-07 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Steve Larkins
Alfred William BURGOYNE
Alfred Burgoyne was resident at 83 Fullarton Rd Norwood, when he enlisted into the AIF in June 1916.
He was assigned to the 12th reinforcements which subsequently embarked Adelaide, 12 August 1916 on the HMAT Ballarat A70. They disembarked Plymouth, England, 30 September 1916. The 3rd Division was assembling on the Salisbury Plain in massive training camps, and accordingly, Alfred Burgoyne was taken on strength of the 11th Training Battalion. On completion of 'Individual Training ' he was taken on strength of the 36th Battalion on 11 November 1916.
The 3rd Division was being brought up to full operational readiness under its commander Major General John Monash. and in due course the 36th battalion proceeded overseas to France, on 22 November 1916.
The next phase was to give soldiers operational experiene and Alfred found himself detached to 'Power Buzzer Carriers', moving forward with signal boosting equipment to maintain communications. In this apacity he served in the massive attack at Messines in June 1917. Later the Division was readied for service in the 'Third Ypres' campaign. On 16 September 1917; Alfred rejoined the 36th Bn from detachment.
He was then 'Temporarily attached' for duty to Base Post Office, London, 26 October 1917. It would appear that this 'cushy' posting was in recognition for his exploits in the campaign during October for which was recommended and subsequently awarded the Military Medal.
He was later detached from duty and granted furlough on 18 March 1918, prior to proceeding overseas to France.
Rejoined the 36th Bn, in the field, 5 April 1918, and promoted Lance Corpora on 17 April, before being posted to the 33rd Battalion on the 30th Apriil 1918.
In operations on 7 May 1918, he was seen to be seriously wounded and later decalred 'Missing'.
After an inquiry on 3 November 1918, he was confirmed killed in action, 7 May 1918.
His last moments can be traced through the extraordinary efforts of the Red Cross.
Statement, Red Cross File No 0630803K, 2290 Pte A.L. COUGHLIN, 33 Bn (Australian Convalescent Camp, Rouelles), 30 July 1918:
'I knew Private Burgoyne, C. Company, 12th. Platoon, slightly, about 23, medium height, stout build, fair, clean-shaven. I saw him fall hit by a bullet in the stomach. I was about 2 yards from him. He was conscious and was talking to Private Jack Burton, C. Company, 12th. Platoon. This happened in 'No Man's Land' at Morlincourt [sic] on the night of May 7th. 1918, about 100 yards in front of or lines. We went further on but got the order to retire about 2 a.m. & left our dead and wounded behind. I did not hear any more of Burgoyne. Burton is with his Unit.'
Second statement, 3256 Pte G. BURTON, C Company, 33rd Bn (Patient, No 2 Ambulance Train), 9 August 1918:
'I came across a man named Burgoyne lying dangerously wounded being shot in the back in No Man's Land at Morlancourt at night. I was carr[y]ing another man at the time and I aske him his name. This occurred about 100 yards from Fritz first line. I left Sergt Reed of the 33rd Ba in C. ... , also wounded, talking to him. There was shelling going on at the time and I do not think he could be taken P/W.'
Third statement, 3007 Pte O.E. AMOS, 33rd Bn (patient, No 1 Casualty Clearing Station, Boulogne), 19 August 1918:
'Alfred Burgoyne was in Coy. HQ with me. He had the M.M. and his number was about 1808. I believe before the war he had an hotel at Port Augusta, South Australia. He was medium height, hair turning grey, clean shaven and a widower. I was told by Pte Burton of C.XIII that he had seen Burgoyne wounded during the fighting around Morlancourt on the night of the 7th May. Burton told me he dressed his wound. He said he then continued advancing and took our objective and went beyond it. I never heard what happened to Burgoyne afterwards.'
Fourth statement, 1408 Lance Corporal S.H. BRAZIL, 33rd Bn, 6 September 1918:
'We were holding the line; had just releived the 17th. Battalion, and he was hit but was able to walk out. I saw him go to the F.A.P. but did not hear what became of him after that. He was a signaller; he came from South Australia.'
Fifth statement, 3258 Pte J. BURTON 33rd Bn, undated;
'On 7th May last I passed a wounded man lying flat on his chest and on speaking to him as passing along he told me his name was Burgoyne and that he was wounded in the back and could not get up. He asked me to bandage him but I replied I could not wait to do this as we were advancing. However, just then, Sgt Read (or Reid) of the 33rd Battalion came up and as he was only wounded in the Buttock he took charge of Burgoyne. This is all I can say about the matter.'
Note on Red Cross File: 'No trace Germany. Cert. by Capt Mills. 10.10.19'.
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