Alexander Masterton

Private Alexander Masterton

2718, 55th Battalion Australian Infantry
Australian Imperial Force

killed in action 19th October 1917

aged 28

Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial
Panel 7-17-23-25-27-29-31

son of Robert Masterton and Mary Ellen Garvey, 23 Theodore St, Balmain, Sydney

Genealogy

Alexander Masterton was born in Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia in 1890, the third son born to Robert Masterton, a carter, and Mary Ellen Garvey who had married in Surry Hills, Sydney in 1887. Robert's father, Alexander Masterton a carpenter, had emigrated to Australia from Kincardine, Tulliallan, Scotland some time before 1854. His grandson Alexander was educated with the Christian Brothers in Rozelle, Sydney and became a butcher, and volunteered for service in August 1915.

Further details of Alexander and the extended family of Mastertons who can be traced back to the Culross area of Fife can be found at the following link.

His War

Alexander enlisted at Liverpool, New South Wales on 24th July 1915 into the 17th Battalion. On 16th February 1916 he was in Zeitoun, Egypt and allotted to the 55th Australian Infantry, formed in Egypt and was taken on to the strength on 19th February in Tel-el-Kebir, the battalion forming part of the 14th Australian Brigade, in the 5th Australian Division. He spent some days in hospital in March and April 1916 with varicocele (mild). On 19th June, the battalion embarked on H.M.T. Caledonian at Alexandria, arriving at Marseille on 29th June.

In August 1916 he was disciplined for neglect of duty, and served 7 days Field Punishment No. 2 for which the soldier could be kept in irons to prevent his escape however was not allowed to be tied to a fixed object, carried out in the units if the punishment was sentenced to less than 14 days. They had to undergo hard labour, made to march in full order with packs and rifles twice daily, usually morning and afternoon. The soldier’s rifle equipment was inspected and if not satisfactory would be further punished. Soldiers under field punishment no.2 were not allowed to smoke or drink any rum; pay was also lost during this time. If the prisoner messed up they were sent straight to the bottom of the leave roster and also did at least an hour pack drill everyday. The prisoners were only allowed blankets and to sleep on the floor and were under guarded supervision in a room from between the hours of 6pm and 6am.

On 28th November 1916, he was again admitted to hospital in Rouen, with a hernia, but a few days later was marched in to the 5th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples. On 12th January 1917, he rejoined his Unit.

In October 1917, the battalion was holding the line in Belgium. Private Alexander Masterton was assumed killed in action on 19th October 1917, in Polygon Wood, one of the engagements in the latter stages of the Battle of Third Ypres (Passcehndaele). He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres.

Australian Red Cross enquiries throw further light on the circumstances of his death from those who knew him. For example:

Masterton was one of the original men of the 55th Battn; he was in D.Co. 14th Pltn. I knew him for 2 years; he was medium height, strongly built, dark, about 23: and came from N.S. Wales. On the 19th Octr the Battn was at Polygon Wood and in action. I was away wounded, but was told by Cpl Freeman of the 55th Battn C.Co. 14th Pltn, who saw Masterton hit by shell and blown to pieces. - Pte A.G. Garland.

I was close beside him when Alec Masterton got cut to pieces by a shell at 'Anzac Ridge' on or about the 18th Oct. He was with the S/Bs [stretcher bearers] and a shell lobbed right amongst them and only pieces of him could be found here and there. He came from Sydney, and was D. Coy. S/B. - P. Cowley.

The Sydney Morning Herald

MASTERTON— In fondest memory of my beloved son and our brother, Private Alex Masterton No. 2718, 55th Bat- talion killed In Polygon Wood. October 19, 1917. Inserted by his sorrowing mother Mary Masterton, and his bro- thers Robert and George, sisters-in-law, Kate and Lily, and neices.

MASTERTON —In loving memory of our dear brother, Private Alex Masterton, No. 2718, 55th Battalion, killed Polygon Wood October 19, 1917. Inserted by his loving sister and brother-in-law and niece, Kate, Hugh and Hilda O'Sullivan.

MASTERTON— In fond memory of our dear brother, Private Alex Masterton No 2718, 55th Battalion killed Polygon Wood October 19, 1917 Inserted by Reg, Ann and Thelma Browne.

The Sydney Morning Herald
Family Notices
Tuesday 19 Oct 1920

Other Sources

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