| Regimental number | 1356 |
| Place of birth | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Railway employee |
| Address | 54 Salisbury Street, Subiaco, Western Australia |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 20 |
| Height | 5' 7.5" |
| Weight | 127 lbs |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs E Roberts, 84 Salisbury Street, Subiaco, Western Australia |
| Previous military service | Served in the 86th Infantry, Citizen Military Forces; still serving at time of AIF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Perth, Western Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Lance Corporal |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, D Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on |
| The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 21 |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | V.C. Corner (Panel No 4), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 121 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: William and Emily ROBERTS, 84 Salisbury Street, Subiaco, Western Australia. Native of Victoria |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Disembarked Suez, ex-HMAT 'Geelong', 18 December 1915. Admitted to Australian Casualty Clearing Station, Ismailia, 3 January 1916 (phymosis); transferred to No 2 Australian General Hospital, Ghezirah, 6 January 1916 (circumcision); to No 2 Auxiliary Hospital, Ghezirah, 25 January 1916; to Helouan Convalescent Depot, 2 February 1916; discharged and rejoined 32nd Bn, Tel el Kebir, 5 March 1916. Promoted Corporal, Ferry Post, 26 May 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Killed in action, 20 July 1916 Statement, Red Cross File No 2310706, 1280 Pte R. HARBORT, 32nd Bn, 7 April 1919: 'We advanced from our front line at Fleurbaix on the night of the 19th. instant, and Witness was about 5 yards from Roberts when he fell, saying "I am hit." We failed in our objective and next morning had to withdraw to our original front line which was held until we were relieved two days later by the King's Royal Rifles. Witness never heard any more of Roberts, nor does he know whether the Pioneers who went out two days later recovered his body in "No Man's Land." Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, ROBERTS Alfred William
Red Cross file 2310706 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
