Alfred John Ernest Powell was born in Ballarat and was a Bootmaker by trade when he enlisted in the 23rd Battalion, 6th Reinforcement on 14 July 1915 at the age of 28. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 27 October 1915. Soon after reaching Egypt he was admitted to the 2nd Auxiliary Hospital in Cairo suffering from influenza. In February 1916 he was transferred to the 58th Battalion with whom he moved to France in June. On July 19th he was wounded in action at Fromelles, suffering shell shock. He was evacuated to hospital in England, but returned to France in November and was attached to the 15th Australian Machine Gun Company. In December he was again hospitalised after being troubled by conjunctivitis. In October 1917 he was withdrawn to England for return to Australia. He returned home on the Persic and disembarked at Melbourne on February 12th 1918. He was discharged soon after as æmedically unfit – neurosis'.
Tree No. 1171