Some time before 1891 he left Elham and joined the British army, and it seems that he signed on for 14 years. His military service took him overseas to India, for in 1901 he reappeared in Elham with his wife Louisa, and three children. Louisa and his son Alfred were both born in Madras, India. His fourth child was born in Elham in April 1901 and on her baptismal record his occupation was recorded as 'retired policeman' so he may have been in the military or Indian police. Later that year he re joined his regiment and fought in the South African War until 1902. Alfred's travels were not over however. In 1914 he travelled to Australia, where he settled in Brighton, a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. He got a job as an attendant at Minda Home, a progressive establishment for children and young adults with learning disabilities. It was in Brighton that he joined up when war was declared in August 1914. Due to his previous experience in the British army, he was given the rank of Corporal in the 3rd Brigade Ammunition Column. It was whilst serving with the 3rd Brigade that he was killed at Gaba Tepe, Gallipoli.
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1888
He joined the Royal Garrison Artillery at Dover, and signed on for 21 years. His military service took him to India. Indian Army Mountain Battery. Few army regiments could rival the status and fighting reputation of the Indian Mountain Batteries. They always provided artillery support no matter how treacherous the terrain. Their reputation was enhanced by the fact that they were led by the best officers that the Royal Artillery had to offer. Young talented officers competed to join the mountain batteries because they were guaranteed active service, and the men serving with them were also the best available. The guns that they used were small light weapons, designed to be easily assembled and transported by pack mule.
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1895
Whilst based at Quetta in 1895 he met and married Louisa Credland. He married Louisa on 16th May 1895 at St Mary’s Church, Quetta. He was a corporal in the 5th Mountain Battery, RA. She gives her age as 15, but may have been 17. Shortly after that the regiment sailed back to England.
Janice Brooker
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1896
Alfred joined the army reserve.
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1900
Alfred was recalled to the army from the reserve in February 1900 after the outbreak of the Second Boer War in October 1899. He was posted to Newport in Monmouth, promoted to sergeant, and trained recruits.
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1901
He reappears in Elham with his wife Louisa and children Alfred (6), Lily (2) and William (4). They were staying with Alfred’s recently widowed mother, Annie. He was on leave as his father had died two weeks before. Also listed with them was an un named infant, 3 hours old, who was later named Alice. On the 2nd April 1901 Alice Mary was christened at home by the vicar of Elham. Sadly she died shortly after birth.
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1902
In January 1902 he chose to re join the army, in order to increase his time in service, which would improve his pension. He was posted to the Mountain Battery Depot at Newport, where he had been based during the Boer War. Another daughter Dolly (Dorothy) was born in Newport in June 1902.
Janice Brooker
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1906
From 1906 to 1908 he was posted to the British garrison at Malta. At his own request he was demoted to Corporal.
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1909
On 13 March 1909 Alfred Croud married Melinda Borst (nee Roberts) at the Register Office in Rochford District, Essex. They were both widowed. He was a Corporal at the RGA school of Gunnery at Shoeburyness, and she was living in Southend. He finally left the army on 13 December 1909, and he decided to try his hand as a pub landlord in Baldock. He is listed in the 1911 census as the landlord of The Cock Public House, High Street, Baldock, Hertfordshire. With him are Melinda, who is assisting in the business (although she is listed with his first wife’s name, Louisa), William (who is a domestic gardener), Gladys, his stepdaughter, and his daughters Lily and Dolly. We do not know why they chose to move there – there are no apparent links with this area. He remained there until 1914. His eldest son Alfred is in Great Yarmouth, in the Royal Artillery Barracks, where he has the rank of Boy
Janice Brooker
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1911
Living (42) in the Cock Inn, Baldock, Hertfordshire
1911 census
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1914
In 1914 they decided to make a new life in Australia. They are listed in the BT127 records of persons embarking at British ports. They embarked in London, on 4 February 1914 on the P&O ship SS Geelong and the party comprised Alfred, Melinda, Gladys (Melinda’s daughter from her first marriage, aged 17), Lilian (aged 16) and Dolly (aged 11). The older boys, Alfred and Thomas stayed behind. Gladys and Lilian disembarked at Adelaide, while Alfred, Melinda and Dolly sailed to Sydney. He got a job at the Minda Home, a progressive establishment for children and young adults with learning difficulties. (it still exists) It was founded in 1898, and is now situated in King George Avenue, Brighton, South Australia 5048.
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1915
On 13th February 1915 he was transferred to 3rd Field artillery Brigade Headquarters. Gallipoli. Sir Ian Hamilton decided that action had to be taken to secure ground around Krithia. He brought Anzacs and other brigades from Sairi Bair. They attacked on 6th May 1915 at 11 am, but made little progress. Land was gained and then lost again. Hamilton called up all his reserves and ordered general advance. At night fall 300 yards had been gained. The troops were exhausted, but worked through the night to consolidate their positions, as air intelligence had warned that reinforcements were on the way. At 10.30 am on 7th May the New Zealand brigade attacked and at 4.30 the 2nd Australian Brigade followed with bayonets fixed and heavy artillery in a long line right across the peninsula. On the morning of the 8th May it was clear that they had gained 400 yards. Alfred was killed on 7th May 1915 during the battle for Krithia. His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Charles Rosenthal (O.C. 3rd Field Artillery Brigade) wrote to Melinda Croud to explain what had happened and to express his condolences: Gaba Tepe, Gallipoli Peninsula May 30th 1915: Dear Mrs Croud, Having been wounded with shrapnel on May 5th and been absent in hospital until two days ago when I returned to duty, I have been unable to write to you earlier re your husband’s death. Particulars were sent to you immediately. He was killed by a shrapnel shell as was also the Captain of one of my batteries. Please accept my very sincere sympathy with you and your family in your irreparable loss. From the General’s family downwards very few will escape bereavement. Your husband lies buried with other comrades close to where our guns are now placed. Yours very sincerely Charles Rosenthal, Lieut.-Col., O.C. 3rd F.A. Brigade.
I am returning his letter to you. He was buried by a military chaplain Rev. D J Failes, at the top of the Gully on the right flank of their position, and this was later called Artillery Road West Cemetery, three quarters of a mile from Anzac Cove. The Australian War Memorial holds a photograph of the original grave. The Australian government web site for Shell Green gives further details about the action that killed Alfred and Captain Leslie: “On the morning of 6 May Captain Walter Leslie and Lieutenant Percy Ross and their gun crews were on Bolton’s Ridge attempting to destroy a concealed Turkish position when Leslie was wounded in the arm and thigh. Confusion seems to have surrounded the subsequent death and burial of Captain Leslie who was reported to have been taken on board the hospital ship Gloucester Castle, where he died at 8pm and was buried at sea. His family was told that he had died of wounds on 8th June 1915.
Janice Brooker
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1919
However in 1919 Leslie’s remains were located on Gallipoli by the Graves Registration Unit and buried at Shell Green Cemetery.” The same confusion seems to have surrounded Alfred’s death, as he was later reported to have died on 7th June, and a considerable correspondence between various Australian army departments was generated in order to establish exactly which day he died. In September Melinda made a claim for a war pension to be paid to her and her daughter Dorothy (Dolly?), and the State of South Australia agreed to pay £68 per annum to her and £13 per annum to Dorothy. They were both living at the Commonwealth Quarters in Port Augusta, South Australia. On December 20th she wrote from Port Augusta to the General headquarters asking for Alfred’s personal property as she was intending to return home to England in the New Year. But the brown paper parcel containing his purse, two notebooks and photographs arrived in Adelaide too late. Melinda and Dorothy left for England on 5th May 1916, and the parcel arrived on 25th. Thomas Cook & Co forwarded the parcel on to her at Pyrland Road, Islington where she was staying with her sister Mrs T Evans. Alfred was awarded the 14-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals. A memorial plaque and scroll, plus three photographs of her husband’s grave were also issued to Melinda. Alfred Croud was re-interred in Shell Green Cemetery, when several small cemeteries were combined together after the war. He is grave number 28 of 28 graves from Artillery Road, who are buried together in one section. With him is Captain Walter Aland Leslie, 7th Battery, 3rd Australian Field artillery who was struck by the same shrapnel shell. He was an accountant form Hamilton, Brisbane, Queensland, aged 27.
Janice Brooker
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1951
Death of wife Melinda
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