Lives of the First World War

Alfred Edward Holton was born in Boudja, Smyrna (part of the Ottoman Empire) in 1890 where his father was working on the Aidin Railway. In April 1915, Alfred was involved in the Gallipoli landings, but very little is known of his involvement or exactly how he got there. Hulme Hall records confirming he was with the Australian forces in the Dardanelles before being assigned to the Royal Navy Division. Having grown up in the Ottoman Empire, being able to speak the local language and understand the culture, it is likely that Alfred found himself in some form of liaison role. In November Alfred was given a commission with the Royal Navy Marines and in March 1916 was posted to the Royal Marine Artillery training base at Eastney Barracks, in Portsmouth. Having completed training, Alfred was posted to No.3 Howitzer Battery who were fighting in France. Alfred survived over two years of life as an Artillery Officer on the Western Front and was awarded the Military Cross. In February 1919 Alfred was still on active service in France where he contracted influenza and died as a result of complications arising from the illness.

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