Kranji War Cemetery, Special Memorial 'C', Plot 28, Row D, Grave 7, Age 22.
Cause of Death:
Died of Wounds
Date of Death:
10.02.1942
General Description
Cunningham joined the Militia – 25th Machine Gun Regiment reaching the rank of Corporal prior to enlisting with 2/4th. This Militia Battalion had its HQ at Guildford. The Battalion was equipped with rifles and light machine guns.
Alf enlisted 19 Nov 1941, became reinforcement for 2/4th, joining ‘C’ Company 11 Battalion under CO Lt Kevin Boyle.
Cunningham was wounded in action at Jurong Road and evacuated to an Indian Regimental Aid Post but was not seen again (the RAP was no doubt run over/attacked by the fast moving Japanese army). Soldier’s date of birth and age at death do not correspond. We assume he recorded 1916 to ensure he met the age requirements. Alf was in AIF just two months when he was KIA, not forgetting he was with the Militia prior to AIF.
Alfred Thomas Cunningham was in fact born 5th October 1919, and not 1916 as he recorded on his enlistment 19th November 1941. He boarded ‘Aquitania’ with 2/4th Reinforcements joining the Battalion sailing to Singapore. He joined ‘C’ Company. Tragically Alfred died on 10th February 1942 from wounds he received during Battle of Singapore aged 22 years.
Alfred Thomas Cunningham
Alfred Thomas Cunningham was adopted by his parents Charles Herbert Cunningham and Elizabeth Pratt who married in Perth 6 August 1921. His father Charles was born 1876 Sandhurst, Victoria came to Western Australia to work at the Goldfields. He was recorded living in Coolgardie in 1906. Elizabeth Pratt was born 1876 Middlesex, England. It seems Elizabeth and several of her sisters came to WA.
The Cunningham family lived in various places with Charles working for the Railways. In 1925 the family lived at Northam, 1931 at Boyanup and sometime prior to 1937 the family moved to their final destination Bellevue Hill. Alfred was their only child.
Charles Cunningham died in Western Australia in 1959 and his wife Elizabeth died in 1966.
The Cunningham family were finally officially informed of Alf’s death in late March 1946 (War Graves Officials required to locate evidence of all the soldier’s deaths).
Cunningham Alfred March 1945
Unfortunately, we know little else of Private Cunningham’s young life.
Alf’s father Charles Herbert d. Apr 1959 and his mother Elizabeth died 1966 at Perth.
