Private Alfred George Jessop was born in Parramatta. According to the Cumberland Argus he attended Pitt Row School, now Parramatta West Public School.
However, his place of association at the time of his enlistment was Tweed Heads near Murwillumbah in New South Wales.
He was a labourer and enlisted for service at the age of twenty two, in Brisbane Queensland on 23 January 1916.
He named his mother Hannah who lived in Tumbulgum on the Tweed River as his next of kin. He had a brother Ray who lived in Seville Street, Parramatta.
Private Alfred George Jessop embarked for service overseas with 31 Australian Infantry Battalion on 14 April 1916.
Following treatment in hospital for frost bite to his feet and a subsequent foot infection, he re-joined his unit in August 1917.
Sadly, Private Alfred Jessop was killed in action in the field on 28 September 1917 in Belgium. His war service record states that he is buried in the vicinity of Polygon Wood near Ypres.
This suggests he was involved in the Battle of Polygon Wood which commenced on 26 September 1917 and which was staged as part of the third battle of Ypres. The battle cost 5,770 Australian casualties.
His name is engraved on the Menin Gate in Ypres Flanders Belgium. The British War Medal, Victory Medal, Memorial Scroll and Memorial Plaque were given to his mother. His name is located on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial.
References:
“Our Brave Boys on the Battle Fields” The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW: 1888-1950), 8 December 1917, page 10.
Australian War Memorial Website Battle of Polygon Wood https://www.awm.gov.au/militaryevent/E153/
Janet Britton, Volunteer Research Assistant, City of Parramatta, Parramatta Heritage Centre, 2016