Alfred Hobart Sturdee

(1863-1939)

Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Hobart Sturdee served as a surgeon in the 2nd Field Ambulance of the 16th Australian Army Medical Corps. Sturdee, who had been living at “Stoneycroft” High Street, Northcote prior to the First World War, had a distinguished military career. He had served in the Boer War as part of the 4th Victorian Imperial Busmen, winning the Queens South Africa Medal with 3 clasps and the Kings South Africa Medal.

With his son Vernon, Sturdee served during the Gallipoli campaign before returning to Australia in 1917. Sturdee was Mentioned in Dispatches on three separate occasions and was also awarded the Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George. Sturdee later moved to McMillan Street, Elsternwick and died in 1939. Sturdee’s son Vernon had an even more distinguished career. After the First World War Vernon Sturdee went on to become a Lieutenant-General, serving as Chief of General Staff for the Australian Army in 1940. Vernon Sturdee lived in St. Georges Road, North Fitzroy.