Aexel Valentine JOSEPHSON

Regimental number2282
Place of birthAbo, Finland
ReligionLutheran
OccupationSeaman
AddressVictor Harbor, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation31
Height5' 4.25"
Weight148 lbs
Next of kinFather, Otto Josephson, Westenkarn, Finland
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date22 July 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name27th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/44/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A15 Star Of England on 21 September 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll27th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 20 December 1917
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Plaque in South Australian Garden of Remembrance
Discharge date28 February 1918
Other details

Imperial Russian Consul, Adelaide, South Australia, wrote to the Military Commandant, South Australia, 20 July 1915: 'The bearer, Axel Josephson, is a Russian Finn, born in 1884 at Obo, the ancient capital of Finland. This man left the English ship 'Armidale' in Fremantle, 1913. Since then he has been working as a labourer on several railway contracts in this State. He has produced his papers to me and I have no objection to his joining the Imperial Expeditionary Force provided he is otherwise suitable.'

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength, 27th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 12 January 1916.

Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 16 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 21 March 1916. Found guilty, 29 November 1916, of being absent without leave from Tattoo, 24 November, to Reveille, 26 November 1916: awarded 21 days' Field Punishment No. 2; forfeited 24 days' pay.

Granted English leave, 13 January 1917; returned from leave, 2 February 1917.

Wounded in action, 2 March 1917 (high explosive wound, right eye, right arm, right leg); admitted to 45th Casualty Clearing Station, 2 March 1917; to 6th General Hospital, Rouen, 4 March 1917; to England, 6 March 1917, and admitted to 2nd Birmingham War Hospital, 7 March 1917 (multiple gun shot wounds). Transferred to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 21 July 1917. Granted furlough, 15-29 August 1917, to report to No. 2 Command Depot, Weymouth.

Commenced return to Australia on board HMAT 'Runic', 20 December 1917; disembarked Melbourne, 13 February 1918; discharged, 28 February 1918.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Date of death28 May 1954