The eldest son of Joseph and Emily Laurie, Albert Kingston was born at Durum, England in June 1893.
Working as a grazier at “Stobo”, Rawdon Vale, New South Wales Albert enlisted with the 6th Reinforcements, 18th Battalion on the 2nd of July 1915 at Liverpool, aged 21 years and 11 months. His enlistment records show he had spent 2 years as a mounted cadet with a comment that he was a good horseman. After initial training, Alfred was taken on strength 18th Battalion on the 6th of February 1916
After returning to Egypt, the AIF underwent a period of reorganisation as it was expanded from two infantry divisions to five prior to their transfer to Europe. As the 18th Battalion was rebuilt, further training was undertaken before it was sent to France. Having departed Sydney on the 2nd of November 1915 aboard ‘HMAT A14 Euripides’ for Egypt, Albert joined his Battalion at Kembla Hill on the 6th of February. The 18th Battalion departed Alexandria on the 13th of March to disembark at Marseilles on the 25th of March 1916. During the next two-and-a-half years they participated in most of the main battles fought by the Australians on the Western Front.
Their first major action came at Pozières in mid-1916 as part of the wider Battle of the Somme, being committed twice in July and August. On the 25th of June Albert went to hospital wounded, however he volunteered to take part in raids on enemy trenches on the nights of 26/27th June 1916. Albert was ‘Wounded in Action’ suffering a bomb wound to the right thigh and left chest during the raid. On the 28th he was taken to 2nd ADRS and was discharged to base on the 3rd of July 1916 to return to duty the same day.
In late August, the 18th Battalion was withdrawn to Belgium to recover, before returning to the Somme in October. For the rest of 1916, the battalion undertook defensive duties along the front. Although they were not involved in any major attacks, on the 15th of November 1916, Alfred reported to the 5th Field Ambulance and was admitted the next day to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital sick VWG. He was then moved to the 18th General Hospital before leaving Rouen on the 21st of November to be transferred to the 51st General Hospital, Etaples. Having recovered, he was discharged on the 11th of January 1917 and marched in from details until the 26th of January.
During 1917, the Germans shortened their lines and withdrew to the Hindenburg Line, after which the 18th Battalion took part in the fighting around Warlencourt in February as the Allies sought to follow up the German withdrawal. A brief advance followed before they came up against the forward positions of the Hindenburg Line.
Again, Albert was to report sick on the 3rd of February at the 5th Auxiliary Field Ambulance with urethritis and was transferred to the Casualty Clearing Station on the 16th of February to be transferred to the 51st General Hospital at Etaples. On the 18th of April he was discharged to the 2nd ADBD and rejoined his Battalion on the 26th of April.
On the 3rd of March Albert was charged with ‘Breaking out of hospital’ at Etaples on the on the 27th of February and was awarded 10 days forfeiture of pay. He rejoined his unit on the 26th of April he rejoined unit
Between the 3rd and the 17th of May 1917, the 18th Battalion was committed to the Second Battle of Bullecourt before moving again to Belgium where they saw further action around the Ypres Salient at Menin Road in September and Poelcappelle in October before settling down for the winter. During the battle on the 3rd of May, Albert was ‘Wounded in Action’ with a gunshot wound to the leg. He was admitted to 9th General Hospital at Rouen on the 5th and then to the 2nd Con Depot also at Rouen on the 6th and further to the 4th IBD on the 7th. Being discharged to base on the 10th he arrived at the 2nd ADBD at Etaples on the 11th. On the 13th of May Albert rejoined his Battalion.
Albert was again ‘Wounded in Action’ on the 9th of October and was taken to the 44th Casualty Clearing Station where he arrived on the 10th with a gunshot wound to the back. He was immediately transferred to the 19th Auxiliary Field Hospital and continued on to the 22nd General Hospital at Canniers. On the 16th of October he was released to the 6 Con Depot and on the 20th of October was transferred to the 5 Con Depot at Etaples later arriving at Cayeux. On the 9th of November, he was released to arrive at 2 ADBD on the 10th at Havre and on the 15th released to join his unit. He arrived in the field on the 20th of November.
While in hospital, Albert was awarded the Military Medal on the 7th of November for ‘conspicuous bravery in the field’ at Bullecourt, which was published in the supplement to the London Gazette on the 27th of October 1916. It read:
HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned soldier:-
No. 2692 Private ALFRED KINGSTON LAURIE
On the 29th of December Alfred was admitted to the 7th Auxiliary Field Hospital in Belgium and was discharged on the 2nd of January 1918. Between the 28th of February and the 27th of March 1918, he had well-earned leave in the UK.
In early 1918, following the collapse of the Russian resistance on the Eastern Front, the Germans had been able to transfer many troops to the Western Front. As a result, in March, they launched their German spring offensive. With the Germans making rapid gains, Australian units, including the 18th Battalion, were moved south from Belgium where they had spent the winter and were thrown into the line to help blunt the attack around Villers-Bretonneux, which lay before the strategically important rail hub at Amiens.
On the 4th of May 1918 Alfred was sent to the 12th Casualty Clearing Station with a dental issue before returning to his Battalion on the 6th of May.
In August the Allies were able to launch their own offensive, which subsequently became known as the Hundred Days Offensive and ultimately brought about the Armistice. On the 10th of August Albert was promoted to Lance Corporal. During this offensive, the battalion fought at Amiens and Mont St Quentin before assaulting ‘Beaurevoir Line’, which was the third (and final) fortified line of the Hindenburg Line. Albert was 25 years old when he was killed in action on the 31st of August 1918 at Saint Quinton in France. He was buried on the northwest side of Peronne near the road from le Quinconce to Halle. Albert was later re-interred at the Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension.
Personal effects returned to his father were 1 devotional book, pair of brushes in a case.
