Adair, Alexander Alphonsus

ADAIR, Alexander Alphonsus

SPC 1904-1913

DoB:– – – – – – 1895, East Ballarat, VIC

Father:- – – – – – Alexander James Adair, a linotape operator

Mother:- – – Sarah Ann, nee Bennington

Alexander started at St Patrick’s College as a nine year old boy. He- was a day student who lived at 17 Hotham Street, Ballarat.

In his final year at St Patrick’s, 1913, he attained 78% in the State- Public Service Exams, and 80% in the Federal Public Exams, for- which he received a school prize.

He progressed to a position in the Crown Solicitor’s Office where he- was known as -‘a studious young man, [who] has the degree of 1909- LLB in sight’. (SPC Annual 1913-14).

Service No:– – – 2450

Rank:- – – – – – Private, later Corporal

Unit:- – – – – – 8th Infantry Battalion

Alexander Adair enlisted on 9 June 1915 in Melbourne. He was 19 years and seven months old, five feet eight and a quarter inches tall, had a medium complexion with brown eyes and dark brown hair. He embarked at Melbourne on the HMAT Demasthenes, on 16 July 1915.

-‘He was sent to Egypt where he completed his military training, and was then transferred to Gallipoli. He was amongst the last company to leave the Peninsula. He was then transferred to France, and was engaged in battles at the Somme and Pozieres. It was at Pozieres that he was seriously wounded in the leg when a shell exploded, and he was shipped to Brighton, England, for medical care’.-

(SPC Annual 1916-17).

The medical report attached to (now) Corporal Adair’s file describes the nature of the injury that he received and the determination of the Medical Review Board regarding his ongoing capacity for work:

“Medical Report on an Invalid. Army Form B.179.

To what extent is his capacity for earning a full livelihood in the general labour market lessened at present? -¼-

Date and place of origin of injury: 17 August 1916, Pozieres. Was hit with- GSW on 17/8/16 at Pozieres and evacuated from Boulogne -¦ to Kitchener War Hospital, Brighton 20/8/16 – 30/8/16. Here was operated upon for sepsis of wound, thence to Dartford No3 AAH [Australian Auxiliary Hospital] 30/9/16 – 10/11/16. Thence furlo (sic) and reported to No 1 CD 2 days and thence to Wareham 12/11/19 – 30/2/17, thence to D Qrs (Depot Quarters) London as clerk 30/2/17 – 28/7/17.

Considered fit for Home Service.”

While Alexander was recuperating from his injuries, he met and married an English girl, Agnes Louisa Creek. They married at Westminster, London and by the time Alexander was repatriated to Australia on 18 November 1917, they were expecting a baby. Alexander disembarked from the Suevio, and was discharged from war service on 4 January 1918.

The following year, on 10 January 1919 Agnes and infant daughter Kathleen May migrated to Australia on the Osterley, disembarking at Sydney. Agnes was 22 years of age when she arrived in her new country. The young family settled at Deakin Avenue, Mildura where Alexander continued his career as a law clerk.

On 19 February 1928, Alexander Alphonsus Adair died of toxaemia from pulmonary tuberculosis, and exhaustion. He was 33 years of age. He was buried in the Mildura Cemetery on 20 February 1928-

Alexander left behind his young wife and 10 year old daughter.