Military History

Hitchcock enlisted with 8th Reinf. 51st Bn. He transferred to 14th Reinf. FAB. 27.10.1916 Hitchcock was transferred to Maribyrnong for further Artillery Training. He was promoted to Driver 5.1.1917 prior to Embarkation.
Embarked Melbourne per RMS ‘Osterley' for UK 14.2.1917.
Roll Rank Driver.
Roll Unit 10th Field Artillery Brigade 10th Reinf.
Hitchcock disembarked at Plymouth 11.4.1917. He marched in to the Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery (RBAA) at Larkhill 11.4.1917. After a period of intensive training, he proceeded overseas to France 5.9.1917. Hitchcock was transferred to the Divisional Artillery Column (DAC) 12.9.1917.  The 10th FAB was in action at Dickibusche, Belgium in September 1917 (AWM 10th FAB War Diaries. He was admitted to Hospital with accidental Injury with a fracture to his ulna 19.1.1918. This incident was the subject of a Court of Enquiry hearing. Hitchcock rejoined his Unit 4.3.1918. He received an accidental Injury to his back 17.11.1918. Following this injury he was detached to the Remount Depot 4.3.1919 with lumbago.
Embarked for Australia per HT ‘Main’ 23.7.1919. Sick and admitted to Ship’s Hospital at sea 13.9.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 27.9.1919.
Discharged 28.2.1920.
Final Rank Driver, 3rd Division Ammunition Corps.
Medical Condition Invalided, Medically Unfit for service with lumbago.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal
Photos Albert (listed as Alfred) Hitchcock. Photograph source Sunday Times 31.12.1916 p6s
             RMAS 'Osterley' 1917. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source AWM PB0793
             Artillery Training at Larkhill UK. December 1916. Photograph Donor Captain A.W. McMillan, photograph source AWM H13935
             Artillery Training at Larkhill. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H13936
             Australian troops collecting bricks for roadworks on the Dickibusch Road, Belgium. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E01403

Information Source
AWM PB079. RMAS 'Osterley' 1917. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H13935. Artillery Training at Larkhill UK. December 1916. Photograph Donor Captain A.W. McMillan, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H13936. Artillery Training at Larkhill. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E01403. Australian troops collecting bricks for roadworks on the Dickibusch Road, Belgium. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memoria
AWM4 13/37, ID  RCDIG1000423, 10th FAB HQ War Diaries, September 1917
AWM Embarkation Rolls Albert James Hitchcock
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Hitchcock A J 32569
Sunday Times
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

5 Bertie St. Guildford. WA.
 

Associated Images