Divisional Commander's Congratulatory Card (1916) : Corporal A Ahradsen, 13 Battalion, AIF

Divisional Commander's Congratulatory Card, from Major General Sir H V Cox, commanding 4th Australian Division, dated 13 December 1916. Presented to No 2778 Corporal A Ahradsen for 'his good work as Lewis Gunner during operations November and December 1916'.

Alexander Ahradsen, a 35 year old upholsterer working for the Marcus Clark Department Store at Newtown, Sydney, enlisted for service in the AIF on 26 July 1915 and was assigned as private to the 9th Reinforcements of 13 Battalion. Born in Wellington, New Zealand, he had served with the New Zealand Volunteer Company for six years before he emigrated to Australia. Ahradsen sailed for overseas service aboard HMAT A8 Argyllshire on 30 September 1915 and underwent training in Egypt. He qualified as a Lewis gunner and in April 1916 transferred to Machine Gun Section of his battalion. In May he was promoted to lance corporal. The battalion left Egypt for service in France on 1 August 1916. Ahradsen was promoted to corporal at the end of the month; to lance sergeant in January 1917 and to sergeant in March 1917. He twice received a Divisional Commanders Congratulatory Card, in December 1916, and February 1917, for work undertaken in the Gueudecourt area. The recommendation for the award of the first card reads, 'He [Ahradsen] was in charge of "C" Coys 3 Lewis Guns during operations N of Gueudecourt 27th Nov. to 6th Dec. Exercised great coolness and resource in the handling of his guns and was untiring in his efforts to maintain guns and crews in the highest state of efficiency. In spite of extremely inclement weather, mud and lack of shelter he was able to have them always ready for instant use and in no single case was troubled with stoppages.'. Ahradsen was killed in action during the Battle of Bullecourt, on 11 April 1917. His wife, Emily, developed nervous paralysis when she learned of her husband's death and at one time it was feared that she would never walk again.