A pre-war regular soldier (numbered M/31803), he served during the First World War with 3rd Divisional Supply Company, Army Service Corps in France from 12 August 1914 (1914 Star). He had previously served in No. 24 Indian Motor Transport Company with Sergeant A. E. Beavan (Indian General Service Medal 1908 with clasp ‘WAZIRISTAN 1921-24’). M/14716 Sergeant Alfred William Beer, No. 18 Indian Motor Transport Company, Indian Army Service Corps, died of disease or illness on 15 May 1926.