Military History

Embarked Fremantle per ‘Argyllshire’ for England 9.11.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 5th Reinforcement 44th Battalion. Australian Imperial Force.
Crew disembarked at Devonport with the 5th Reinforcement of the 44th Battalion 10.1.1917. He marched in to 11th Training Battalion at Durrington. After a short period of intensive training, he proceeded overseas to France 10.4.1917. Crew was taken on strength with 44th Battalion 18.4.1917. His Battalion fought at Messines in Belgium and at Ypres. Crew was wounded in action at Broodseinde Ridge with a slight gunshot wound to his leg 4.10.1917. He embarked on Hospital Ship ‘Essequibo’ for England 14.10.1917. After discharge from Hospital he was deemed fit for active service and rejoined his Battalion in France 14.5.1918. The 44th Battalion fought in the offensive at Hamel and along the St Quentin Canal as part of the advance on the Hindenburg Line. Crew was wounded in action (2nd time) probably in the action that breached the Hindenburg Line receiving a gunshot wound to his neck 29.9.1918 (Reported West Australian Newspaper 20.11.1917, 26.11.1918). He was invalided to England 3.10.1918 and admitted to the Central Military Hospital at Weymouth 4.10.1918. Crew as listed for early return to Australia as an invalid.
Embarked England for Australia per ‘Ascanius’ 9.2.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 24.3.1919.
Discharged 3.5.1919.
Final Rank. Private 44th Battalion. Australian Imperial Force.
Medical Condition Invalided, gunshot wound neck.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal
Notes. Crew's brother Walter Joseph also served in WW1 (SN 3357)
Photo Swan Express 14.12.1917 p6.
            HMAT 'Argyllshire' 1914-15. Postcard by Geyer Studio NSW, Photograph source AWM P10581.002
            Australian Soldiers travelling to Messines Ridge June 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00475
            Soldiers in a shelter, Broodseinde Ridge 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01051
            Allied soldiers at the entry to the St.Quentin Canal, October 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM  H15944

Information Source
AWM P10581.002. HMAT 'Argyllshire' 1914-15. Postcard by Geyer Studio NSW, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E00475. Australian Soldiers travelling to Messines Ridge June 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01051. Soldiers in a shelter, Broodseinde Ridge 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H15944. Allied soldiers at the entry to the St.Quentin Canal, October 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial 
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- Cecil Alfred Crew
Guildford Primary School Honour Rol
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Crew C A
St. Matthew’s Honour Roll
Swan Express
West Australian Newspaper
Wesley Chapel Honour Rolls
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

24 Waylen Street, Guildford, WA.

Associated Images