SHEEHAN, Albert (1887-1954)

Modified on Tue, 29 Jan 2019 15:57 by Con — Categorized as: Biography - All, Biography - Students, Geelong College, Biography of War - World War I

SHEEHAN, Albert (1887-1954)


Born on 8 November 1887, the son of John Sheehan and Sarah nee Traill, he was educated at Clifton Hill State School and Geelong College from 1902. His date of birth is listed in the College Enrolment Register as 9 November 1887 however his Victorian Birth Entry lists 8 November 1887. His address at enrolment was New Treasury Hotel, Spring St, Melbourne.

He played in one football game with the Fitzroy Football Club against University on 29 July 1911.

During World War I, he was working as a motor mechanic when he enlisted (No. 11904) in the 3rd Australian Motor Company as a Driver on 4 August 1915. His unit embarked from Melbourne on board 'HMAT A19 Afric' on 5 June 1916. He served in France where at one stage, on 6 March 1917, he was charged with 'leaving his motor lorry 'unattended, thereby causing a traffic block', for which offence he was deprived of two days' pay by his Commanding Officer.

On 25 July 1917 he was admitted to 22 AGH with a gunshot wound to his scalp. On 8 August 1918 he was selected to proceed to England for training as an Australian Flying Corps (AFC) pilot, but rejoined his unit a month later. He returned to Australia on 'HMT Mahia' on 17 July 1919.

His enlistment papers noted that he had been a member of the College Cadet Corps for 2 1/2 years. His name is not listed on the Geelong College World War I Memorial Tablet.

He died in Tasmania.



Sources: 'Geelong Collegians at the Second World War' compiled by J. Affleck. p577 (citing Australian War Memorial; National Archives).