Mills, L/SGT Alfred James

Lance Sergeant Alfred James Mills (1885-1966), lumper and soldier, was born near Petersfield in Hampshire, England. At some point he migrated to Western Australia.

Alfred married Norah Mills and together they settled on Adrian Street in Palmyra. By the outbreak of the war, he was working as a labourer. Alfred enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 10th of January 1916 at the age of 30 and was posted to B Company, 44th Battalion.

During his basic training, he was recognised as a capable junior leader, being promoted to Lance Corporal. Alfred embarked for overseas service in June 1916 and arrived at the front lines in November 1916. Soon after arriving in France, he was promoted to Corporal.

In May 1917, Corporal Mills’s hand became dangerously infected, and he was withdrawn to England for six months to recover. Upon returning to the front, he was promoted to Lance Sergeant. Sergeant Mills fought in numerous battles throughout 1918 until he was wounded in the critical Battle of Amiens on the 8th of August 1918. He received a gunshot wound to his left eye and nose. These injuries were so severe that he spent 4 months in hospital and was then medically discharged to Australia.

During the war, Lance Sergeant Mills had fought in five battles and spent 426 days in the trenches. He was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Silver War Badge, Wound Stripe, Active Service Badge, 2 Good Conduct Stripes and 2 Long Service Stripes.

We do not know much of his life after his service, but we do know that he returned to Western Australia. Alfred is believed to have died in 1966 at the age of 81 and was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.