The AIF Project

Alfred Leonard GATE

Regimental number18792
Place of birthLondon England
ReligionMethodist
OccupationFarm hand
AddressSpring Vale, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinFather, William Gate, 27 Wingfield Road, Walthamstow, Essex, England
Enlistment date28 March 1917
Rank on enlistmentSapper
Unit nameDivisional Signal Company 2, Reinforcement 24
AWM Embarkation Roll number22/12/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on 4 August 1917
Rank from Nominal RollSapper
Unit from Nominal Roll4th Divisional Signal Company
FateReturned to Australia 22 July 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'For courage and devotion to duty. These men [GATE and 17461 H. CARROLL] are members of No. 3 Section of this Company attached to the 14th Australian Infantry Brigade. At 4 a.m. on the 30th September 1918 on the BELLENGLISE - BELLICOURT front the 53rd and 55th Battalions were ordered to march 4 kilos. to attack the Le CATELET system at 6 a.m. The two linemen were the only two men available to send from the advanced signal office at BELLICOURT to run a line 3000 yards in length to to connect up the proposed forward Battalion Headquarters. The country over which they had to lay the line was covered with enemy wire which made it most difficult to work over. In spite of difficulties communication was established between Battalions and Brigade headquarters before the hour of attack. During the attack the enemy put a heavy machine gun barrage on the ground over which the cable ran. These men not only kept the first cable in working order, working under fire from the enemy, but succeeded in laying a second line. It was due to their devotion to duty and courage that communication was successfully maintained during important operations.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 109
Date: 15 September 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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