Alfred Rupert Clyde LINGSTROM (aka Alf LYNNE)
Alfred Rupert Lynne “Pug”, 1915 (Photograph courtesy of Gilgandra Shire Library)
Per his military service record (regimental no. 4834), Alfred Rupert Clyde Lingstrom was born at Dubbo, N.S.W.[1] He gave his age as 21 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as Postal Assistant. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 6 ½ inches, weight 112 lbs., with a fair complexion, grey eyes, and light brown hair. His religious denomination was Methodist. He completed his medical examination on 13th October 1915 at Dubbo (the day the Coo-ees arrived in Dubbo), but was not attested until 26th October 1915 at Bathampton (after he had caught up with the Coo-ees). He claimed to have had no previous military service. He stated that he was a member of the Geurie Rifle Club.
An article in the Wellington Times dated 28th October 1915 reported that ‘Mr. [W. W.] Smith and Mr. Lynne responded to the call for recruits when the Coo-ees from Gilgandra spent a night in Geurie’ [on Friday 15th October 1915], ‘but neither could join immediately, as the former had a big task in handing over all the shire books to his successor, and Mr. Lynne had to remain in his position at the local [Geurie] post-office till a relief man could be sent along’, and that ‘Mr. Lynne himself hails from the home of the Coo-ees (Gilgandra) so should find himself among friends when he joins them’.[2]
Alfred Lingstrom, reported as “A. Lynne” in The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, following a send off provided by the Geurie community, travelled by train from Geurie with fellow Geurie Coo-ee William Smith on Tuesday 26th October 1915, to catch up with the Coo-ees at Blayney.[3]
He was known as one of the Gilgandra Coo-ees.
After completing the remainder of the Coo-ee March, he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13th Battalion.
Private Lingstrom attended a Signal School at Liverpool from 25th December 1915 to 2nd February 1916.[4]
On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Warren Street, Gilgandra, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his mother, Mrs. E. [Emily] Lingstrom, at the same address.
Private Lingstrom, along with many of the Coo-ees, departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England on 8th March 1916, as 15th reinforcement for the 13th Battalion. He arrived in Egypt on 11th April 1916.
On the 16th May 1916 he was transferred to the Signal Section of the Engineers Training Depot at Tel-el Kebir.
On the 15th October 1916 Private Lingstrom was taken on strength of the ANZAC Mounted Division Signal Squadron at Romani.
On 1st February 1917 Private Lingstrom was sent to hospital sick. On 12th February 1917 he was admitted to the 14th Australian General Hospital at Abbassia, Egypt, suffering from Bronchitis. He was transferred to a Convalescent Depot on 20th February 1917.
On 9th March 1917 Private Lingstrom was charged with (1) breaking out of barracks about 6 p.m. and remaining absent until apprehended by the Military Police about 7.30 p.m. on 8th March 1917, (2) being out of bounds by being in Wagh el Burka Street, and (3) neglecting to obey Garrison orders by not wearing identity discs. He was awarded 3 days confined to barracks and fined 4 days pay.
On 12th March 1917 Private Lingstrom was sent to the 1st Light Horse Training Regiment at Moascar, Egypt. On 20th March 1917 he was moved to the Base Signal Depot at Alexandria, Egypt. On 27th of April 1917 he rejoined the ANZAC Mounted Division Signal Squadron.
On 9th May 1917 Private Lingstrom went to hospital sick. He was admitted to Citadel Military Hospital in Cairo, Egypt, on 12th May 1917, suffering from Debility. He was discharged to a Convalescent Depot at Abbassia, Egypt, on 19th May 1917.
On 30th May 1917 Private Lingstrom was charged with overstaying his pass from 8 p.m. until apprehended by the Military Police about 9.40 p.m., and being out of bounds, on 28th May 1917. He was fined 2 days pay.
On 2nd June 1917 Private Lingstrom was transferred to the British Red Cross Convalescent Depot at Montagah, Egypt.
On 14th June 1917 Private Lingstrom was discharged to the Base Signal Depot at Alexandria, Egypt.
On 28th July 1917 he rejoined the ANZAC Mounted Division Signal Squadron.
On 28th January 1918 Private Lingstrom was charged with whilst being on active service for failed to salute an officer on 25th January 1918. He was awarded 5 days confined to camp.
On 2nd March 1918 Private Lingstrom was sent to the Base Signal Depot at Alexandria, Egypt. On 28th March 1918 he rejoined the ANZAC Mounted Division Signal Squadron.
On 11th August 1918 Private Lingstrom was sent to a Rest Camp at Port Said, Egypt.
On 1st September 1918 he was sent to the Signals Training Unit at Moascar, Egypt.
On 12th February 1919 he rejoined the ANZAC Mounted Division Signal Squadron.
On 6th March 1919 Private Lingstrom was promoted to Temporary 2nd Corporal. He was promoted to 2nd Corporal on 24th June 1919.
2nd Corporal Lingstrom began his return to Australia aboard the H.T. Malta at Kantara, Egypt, on 3rd July 1919.
He arrived in Australia on 10th August 1919, and was discharged on 3rd October 1919.
[1] NAA: B2455, LINGSTROM ALFRED RUPERT CLYDE
[2] ‘Round the Wellington District’, Wellington Times, 28 October 1915, p. 7. Retrieved February 27, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article143392877
[3] ‘Geurie’, The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate , 29 October 1915, p. 2. Retrieved February 27, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article77601626
[4] ‘Gilgandra’, Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, 15 February 1916, p. 3. Retrieved February 27, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228635701
1915 Coo-ee March 