Military History

McDermott attended NCO School 7.12.1915- 14.1.1916, prior to embarkation and was promoted to 2nd Lieut.
Embarked Fremantle HMAT ‘Suevic’ A29 for England 6.6.1916.
Roll Rank 2nd Lieut.
Roll Unit 44th Infantry Battalion, AIF.
McDermott disembarked with the 44th Bn. at Plymouth 21.7.1916. He was promoted L/Sgt 6.10.1916. He proceeded overseas to France via Southampton 25.11.1916. Promoted Company Quarter Master Sergeant (CQMS). 16.3.1917. Selected for Cadet Training 21.6.1917. Promoted 2nd. Lt. 20.8.1918 of Infantry Reinforcements. Proceeded to France 5.9.1918. McDermott was taken on Strength with 44th Bn. 10.9.1918. His Bn. at this time was engaged in the Allied 100 Day Offensive, advancing towards the Hindenburg Line. In late September 1918, the 44th Bn. was engaged in the Battle of the St Quentin Canal. McDermott was KIA in this engagement 150 yards South of Quennemont Farm, France 29.9.1918. He was reported to have been shot through chest whilst leading his platoon. McDermott was buried by Padre Mills near this site (62B A.26A.3.7.) Today he is commemorated at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France.
Final Rank 2nd Lieut., 44th Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals. British War Medal, Victory Medal
Photos HMAT 'Suevic'. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A03216
              Ruined Buildings in St.Quentin 1918. Photograph donor K. Ince, photograph source AWM P0074.022
              Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph source H17454
              A G McDermott. Western Mail 6.12.1918. Family Notices p18
              McDermotts store was located  to the left of the petrol station in James St. Photo c1938. Photographer unknown, photograph reproduced with permission E.Paton

Information Source
AWM A03216. HMAT 'Suevic'. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P0074.022. Ruined Buildings in St.Quentin 1918. Photograph donor K. Ince, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H17454. Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Roll of Honour- Alfred George McDermott
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, McDermott A G
Paton E. McDermotts store was located  to the left of the petrol station in James St. Photo c1938. Photographer unknown, photograph reproduced with permission E.Paton
St Matthew’s Fallen
Western Mail
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

119 James Street, Guildford, WA. (Building not extant)

Associated Images