Alfred Leary was the second burial in Catholic Naval Section. He was born at Portsea, Hampshire 13 Jan 1875 and joined the Royal Navy on 8 Jun 1894 for a period of 12 years, his occupation on joining was a labourer. He was sent to HMS Vivid the receiving depot at Devonport, joining his first ship HMS Collingwood in Nov 1894 as a Stoker. Alfred as described on his service record was 5ft 6 , with brown hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion. He returned to Vivid in Feb 1895, then HMS Defiance Sept 1897, back to Vivid May 1899 and finally the Torpedo Gunboat HMS Karrkatta in Oct of 1900 at Sydney. Alfred was to die on 5 Apr 1901 at St Joseph’s Hospital, Auburn from Phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis).
Alfred rests in an unmarked grave. The policy of the day for the RN being they would bury you, but the ship paid for a headstone, this being done by a collection among the ship’s crew. Karrakatta’s ships company only numbered 90 Officers and Men, it is likely they were not able to raise the funds for a headstone.
Sources
UK National Archives ADM188-440-276940
The Australia Station, John Bach, NSW University Press, 1986
Australian Colonial Navies, Colin Jones, Australian War memorial 1986
