Military History

Albert died at home (3 Lansdowne Street) of Adema of the Lungs, Asthma & Bronchitis caused by effects of poison gas, on 20th April 1919.

Albert was taken prisoner near Fayet on 21st March 1918, the first day of the German Spring Offensive. The 2nd/4th Battalion war diary entry for that day reads as follows:

Enghien Redoubt - 21 March 1918: Our positions were subjected to a severe enemy bombardment commencing at 4.30 a.m., gas shells being freely used on our back areas and keeps.

At 9 a.m., under a heavy smoke barrage, a strong hostile attack was launched, penetrating the Forward Zone and surrounding Enghien Redoubt. The garrison of the latter, D Company and Battalion HQ held out till 4pm at which time, owing to casualties, they attempted to fight their way out. The remainder of the Battalion (Captain G. K. Rose says they were less than 50 men) attached themselves to 2/5th Glosters.

Casualties: Killed, 5 other ranks; Missing, believed killed, Lieut. G. E. Bassett, 2nd Lieuts. R. G. H. Gough, W. H. Flory, C. C. Hall; Wounded and Missing, 2nd Lieut. E. Little and 31 men; Wounded, 32 men; Missing, Captain K. E. Brown, M.C., Captain C. E. P. Foreshew, M.C., Captain F. T. Cahill (M.O.R.C. U.S.A.), 2nd Lieuts. R. Ostler, J. Pett, C. H. Wallington, M.C., V. C. Gray, J. C. Cunningham, J. W. Mallett, F. A. Naylor, G. Shelley, G. V. Rowbotham, M.C., C. H. Leach, P. J. Sims, and 494 other ranks. Total: 19 officers and 562 other ranks. Later statistics show that of these 525 missing men 407 were made prisoners, 54 of them being wounded. The number of killed must therefore have been upwards of 120 men. (Source Lightbobs website).

The International Red Cross hold three records (2 are in German) for Alfred which can be read by clicking on Record One  |  Record Two  |  Record Three