Gunner

Alfred James (Alf) Achurch

Served As: 
Albert Rogers
Conflict: 
WW2
Additional Information: 

(Served as ROGER).

References:
  • CWGC
  • New Zealand Nominal Rolls (WW2)
NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

Thought to be Alfred James Achurch who appears in the New Zealand Police Gazette (24 February 1937) as a "Deserter from His Majesty's Service" - "Devonport. - 13th instant, on warrant for deserting from H.M.S. "Dunedin" Alfred James Achurch, age twenty, height 5ft. 9in., seaman, medium build, scar on right eyebrow, "Mary" across heart on right forearm." There is an Alfred J Achurch birth registered Camberwell, London in 1916, mother's maiden name "Lee". Shown on the nominal roll as a Driver, Army Service Corps.

 

Alfred Achurch was an Ordinary Seaman with the Royal Navy with the service number C/JX136361. He joined the cruiser HMS Dunedin which was part of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. He joined the cruiser as Ordinary Seaman on 7 March 1935. He was promoted to Able Seaman on 8 January 1936, According to his card, he deserted [or Run in navy parlance] on 13 February 1937.  Also on his card is mention that his engagement with the Royal Navy expired on 4 July 1934 and his loan agreement to the New Zealand Division began on 7 March 1935. The term of the loan was usually three years.  [Source: Michael Wynd, Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, Auckland]

 

Name Alfred (Alf) from death notice "ROGERS, Dvr., Alfred. - In loving memory of Alf., who died serving his country; aged 27 years. Inserted by his fiancee, Kathleen Nixon." [Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 73, 27 March 1944, p 1]”

 

Public Contributions:

There are no public contributions written for this casualty

Personal Tributes:

Casualty

Service Number: 
47071
Name:
Alfred James (Alf) Achurch
Served as:
Albert Rogers
Rank: 
Gunner
Date of Birth:
Not known
Place of Birth:
United Kingdom
Next of Kin: 
Miss K Nixon (friend), 4 Hiropi Street, Newtown, Wellington
Date of Enlistment:
Not known
Locality on Enlistment: 
23 Cumberland Place, Wellington
Place of Enlistment: 
Wellington, New Zealand
Marital Status:
Single
Unit:
New Zealand Artillery

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:
Died on active service
Date of Death:
19 March 1944
Day of Death:
Sunday
Age at Death: 
29
Conflict: 
WW2

Embarkation Details

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery Reference: 
VI, B, 17.
Cemetery Location: 
Italy
Alfred James (Alf) Achurch
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