Alfred Richard WOOLEY

Alfred Richard Wooley was born 26 September 1868 in Adelaide, South Australia the son of William Wooley and Ann Durbridge. William and Ann were married in 1852 in Southwark, Surrey England. Alfred was their 5th child. William and Ann’s other children included William (1859-1860), Edward Henry (1861-1950), Ada Jane (1863-1949), William Thomas (1866-1932), James (1872-1872), Arthur James (1875-1950) and Martha Anne (1881-1973).

At the time of Alfred’s enlistment he was a laborer living in Spence Street Cairns with his wife, Caroline Elizabeth Wooley. Alfred married Caroline Elizabeth Long 27 June 1906 in Queensland. Alfred and Caroline had four children; Edith Annie (1907-1908), Alfred Augustus (1909-1977), Clement (1910-1975) and Walter George Painting (1912-1985).

Alfred was aged 46 years and 2 months when he enlisted. Possibly due to his age, Alfred was  rejected by the AIF and instead joined the N&MEF, Naval & Military Expeditionary Force, the Dirty 500 with whom he engaged in active service in Rabaul, New Guinea from August 1915 to April 1916. His height was 5 feet 11 inches, weighed 142 pounds with fair complexion, light brown eyes, and hair was brown turning to grey.  His religion was Church of England

Alfred received the British War Medal for his service. He was discharged 4 May 1916.

Alfred Richard Wooley died suddenly from heart disease in the Cairns District Hospital 21 March 1920.