VOCE, Alfred

Alfred Voce was born in Salisbury, England in 1889.  He was the elder of the two sons of Edward Voce and his wife, Charlotte Eliza.  The family arrived in Australia in September 1913 aboard the Commonwealth. They settled in East Melbourne, renting a house at 38 Albert Street. By the time he enlisted on 14 July 1915, Alfred had married Elsie Olive who he named as his next of kin.  He was working as a telephone mechanic and had served with the Royal Army Medical Corps.  He was 6ft 0½ins tall, had a sallow complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair.
He embarked on HMAT Nestor on 11 October 1915 as part of the Reinforcements to join the 1st Australian General Hospital.  He was transferred to the 4th Field Ambulance on 18 March 1916.  A week later he was transferred to the 51st Field Artillery Battery, 13th Field Artillery Brigade.  He was transferred to Brigade Headquarters at Ferry Port on 8 April 1916.  He was promoted to Acting Bombardier 17 April 1916, and Bombardier 14 May 1916.
On 16 June 1916 he embarked from Alexandria for France.  In July, the unit was at Fromelles, and Pozieres in August/September. He was appointed Acting Sergeant 7 September 1916. Late September and October saw the unit at Armentieres. While in Guillemont on 22 December 1916 he was taken to hospital with self-inflicted wounds.  This resulted in him being court-martialed the following month.  He was found to have received an injury (gun shot wound) to his left forearm whilst under the influence of liquor.  There was not sufficient evidence to show how the injury was sustained, but it did not occur in the course of his military duties.  The injury was accepted as accidental and as he had already spent a month in confinement awaiting trial he was let off with a severe reprimand.  He then rejoined the 13th Field Artillery Brigade.  He was transferred to the 5th Divisional Signals Company on 13 June 1917 and promoted to sergeant.  He was wounded in action (gassed) on 6 September 1917 and was six weeks in hospital before rejoining his unit.
He returned to Australia 2 March 1919.  He resumed his work as an electrical technician. He died 31 May 1964 at Cheltenham.