The Soldier's Details

Alf Cough was in the Militia for several years before enlisting in AIF and close mate with Ted Feltham.

On the death of Lt-Col Anketell, Major Alfred John Cough was promoted to Battalion Second in Command.

Please read about the recovery of bodies in Singapore

His appointment was terminated 18/1/1946.

Read further ‘D’ Force Thailand,  V Battalion

Also read about Hindaine Camp

Please read about Cough’s poem

’22 June 1998

There were two people who made a great impact on my life when I was in my early teens. Alf Cough and Ted Feltham. These two were great mates and both in the militia before the war. I believe Alf was a Lieutenant and Ted a

Sergeant QM.

Ted was a foreman cabinetmaker; Alf never served an apprenticeship as a carpenter and joiner but was accepted as a top tradesman. Alf always had the ability to rise up as a leader in any path in life.

At this time I was an apprenticed carpenter and joiner, with 3-4 years completed of a 5-year course. Ted worked for Rosenbergs, Corner of Vincent and Beaufort Streets, Mt Lawley.

I boarded with his parents at 39 Lawley Street, Mt Lawley as I had come from Harvey to get a job in the city. Ted got me a job there and then moved on to work for a builder A. House, 44 Fairfield St, Mt Hawthorn as Foreman Cabinetmaker. Now Ted knew he did not have the knowledge required to be a foreman of a joiner’s shop as A. House wanted him to be, so Ted took me with him to Mt Hawthorn.

This is where Alf came in as Foreman of the Joiner’s shop and made a great impression on all the staff and his new boss. Alf came from Mussen & Sons, another Builder & Joiner. As a 4^th year apprentice Alf made a great impression on me.

WWII came and people were joining up and leaving work. Alf heard the news and was off. Because of his high standing no-one would take on his job. Although I was a 4^TH year apprentice, he asked me, and I did.

As soon as Alf got into the military he wanted Ted to join. Ted was a Sergeant and had to go along with Alf as a Private. Next thing I heard Ted had his stripes again and away they went.

Ted had a brother Mike who also left the Light Horse and served with 2/3^rd. Both Feltham brothers and Alf came back.

On his return Alf became Chief Architect of the Housing Commission. Years later and following his retirement I heard he was reversing out of his driveway at home and was killed during a collision.

Ted was a Masonic Man, a senior man in the Druids and a great RSL person who always attended RSL Congresses. Currently Ted’s large portrait photograph hangs in the Tuart Hill RSL hall where he was President over many years. Ted lived over the road in Main Street. I helped him build his house.

Bill Hopton,

Duncraig 6023

Bill enlisted in the 2/7 Artillery, 9 Division Borneo.

In 1998 he was Chairman of 2/7 and President of North Beach RSL.’

Alf passed away in late 1987.