Alfred Charles Venner
Stephen LearmonthAlfred Charles Venner was born on 5th January 1898 in Chiltern, Victoria, to Alfred Ernest Venner and Sarah Jane, nee Rhodes.
Alfred initially tried to enlist in April of 1915. He had completed his attestation form, passed his medical and signed his oath. He had even had a farewell social evening at Corryong! Arriving at Broadmeadows Camp, he discovered that his father had forwarded a statutory declaration stating that Alfred was underage. He was discharged on 7th May. He had gotten away by stating that his age was 21 years and 2 months.
On the 5th July 1917, he enlisted at St Kilda, Victoria. At the time, he was a single, 21-year-old postal clerk living at 121 Barry St, Carlton, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 7576 and placed in the 25th Reinforcements for the 14th Battalion. Alfred gave his next of kin as father, Alfred Venner. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A71 Nestor at Melbourne, Victoria, on 21st November 1917.
He arrived at Port Suez on 15th December 1917 but embarked on HMS Sarnia three days later. There was a three-day stop at Taranto, Italy, before heading to France and disembarking at Southampton, England, on 5th January 1918. While in England, time was spent at the Drill School Jella and then the 13th Training Battalion before being sent to France. He was taken on strength with the 14th Battalion on 5th June. He had arrived in time to participate in the great Allied offensive of 1918, fighting near Amiens in early August. On 5th February 1919, he was detached from the 14th Battalion and transferred to the Australian Pay Corps in London.
On 19th June 1920, he returned to Australia aboard HT Bahia Castillo, with the rank of 2nd Corporal. He was discharged on 28th July 1920 and was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service during the war.
Sometime after returning from the war, Alfred married Madeleine (surname unknown). Alfred died as a result of a stroke on 4th March 1947 at Wagga Wagga, NSW and was buried in the Corryong Cemetery, Victoria.
His obituary was reported in the Wagga Wagga, Daily Advertiser on 6th March 1947.
“ MR. A. C. VENNER
The death occurred at the Wagga Base Hospital at a late hour on Tuesday night of Mr. Alfred Charles Venner, of 271 Edward-street, Wagga, and late of Corryong (Vic.) at the age of 49 years. He is survived by his wife and three sisters, Amy (Mrs A. Hughes) of Walwa (Vic.), Annie (Mrs W. Hughes) of Brunswick (Vic.) and Dulcie (Mrs C. Harris) of Corryong (Vic.). Mr Venner conducted the small store opposite the Wagga Base Hospital, and although resident in Wagga for only a short period, he became well known and highly respected. The funeral will take place at Corryong to-day [sic]. The cortege will arrive at Corryong Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. Mr Venner, who was a returned soldier of the last war, recently won first prize in the State lottery.”
