Alfred Ernest Punch was born in Auckland, New Zealand and was a Bookbinder living in Ballarat when he enlisted in the 39th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement on 1 November 1917 at the age of 30. His unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 2 February 1918 and was attached with the 46th Battalion. On 12 may 1918 he reported to hospital sick with influenza. He was discharge two weeks later and was granted leave as well as being attached with the 9th Engineer Battalion. He had a few more bouts if illness and 4 June 1919 he again suffered from influenza, resulting in six days at hospital. He returned home from England aboard the Frankfurt on 20 August 1919.
Tree No. 3528