MUNRO Alexander George Roderick

Image courtesy of the State Library of Western Australia: 108133PD

About Alex Munro

Alexander Munro was born in 1895 in Hillgrove, NSW to Alexander & Jessie Ross Munro. He was the eldest child born to the couple, who moved to Bunbury, Western Australia when Alex was an infant. Alex joined the Postmaster General’s Department as a telegraph messenger when he was 17. By 1914 Alex had passed his examinations and was a postal telegraphist.

Broome Connection

Records show that Alex arrived in Broome around 1914 and worked for the Postmaster General’s Department as a telegraphist. When the recruiters arrived in Broome in August 1915 Alex was examined and found to be fit for service. He travelled to Perth and arrived at Blackboy Hill Camp in September 1915.

War Service

Alex was posted to the 11th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement as a signaller in September 1915, and by November he was aboard the HMAT Mongolia bound for Egypt, and then Gallipoli. The 11th Battalion at that time were involved in the Battle of Lone Pine, and the conditions in Gallipoli were unspeakable. The AIF withdrew from Gallipoli in November and the 11th Battalion sailed to Lemos to recuperate after months in the trenches.

The AIF’s infantry divisions were transferred to Europe in March 1916 and Alexander was promoted to Lance Corporal. The 11th Battalion was undertaking defensive duties around Gebel Habieta, guarding the Suez Canal at this time. In October Alex was transferred to the newly formed ANZAC Wireless Section and the squadron was moved to the front in preparation for the British advance. Alex was promoted to 2nd Corporal in May 1917.

Alex was killed at Railway Cutting during the Bullecourt operations, he was wounded in the head by shrapnel while laying power buzzer lines. His comrades buried him and constructed a cross for his grave. His Commanding Officer described his as “True Blue” and added that he “never allowed any risk, however great, to interfere with his duty – he was killed whilst performing his duties under heavy shellfire””.

Tragically for Alex’s parents their other son Don was killed less than three weeks after Alex.

Enlistment Details

Date of Enlistment: 24/09/1915
Place of Enlistment:
Occupation: Telegraphist
Age at Enlistment: 20
Service Number: 3902
Unit: 11th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement, & 1st ANZAC Wireless Section
Rank: Corporal
Fate: Killed in Action
Place of Death: Noreuil, France
Date of Death: 15/05/1917
Cemetery or Memorial Details: Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France
Place of Association: Broome, Western Australia, Australia

Show less