PERKINS, ALFRED EDWARD, Captain, was
born 21 February 1863, at Mount Capicuri, Eastern Creek, New South Wales,
son of Lewis Perkins, JP, and Sarah Madeleine Perkins. He served in the
South African War, in 1900, as Captain, New South Wales Bearer Company,
Australian Army Medical Corps, taking part in the operations in the Orange
Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg (17 to
26 February); actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Vet River (5 and 6 May)
and Zand River. Operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including
actions near Johannesburg, Thaba nchu, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12
June). Operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, July to November
1900. Operations in Orange River Colony (May to November 1900), including
operations at Bethlehem (6 and 7 July). He was mentioned in Despatches
[London Gazette, 19 April 1901], awarded the Queen's Medal and six clasps,
and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette,
19 April 1901]: "Alfred Edward Perkins, Captain, New South Wales Bearer
Company. In recognition of services during the operations in South
Africa". The Insignia, etc, were forwarded by Lord Kitchener to New South
Wales, and presented by the Lieutenant-Governor of that Colony 4 December
1901. He was promoted Lieutenant Colonel, Australian Army Medical Corps, 20
September 1909; appointed Lieutenant Colonel to the Pyrmont Training Area 1
July 1912; became PMO, 2nd Military District, April to November 1915;
created Honorary Serving Brother of St John, and awarded the Volunteer
Officers' Decoration. He married, in 1884, Elizabeth, daughter of Richard
Shortlands, of Sydney.
