Military History

Albert is listed as dying of wounds on 25th November 1916 after the Battle of the Ancre. The war diary suggests that Albert was wounded on 18th November 1916, as there are no other casualties listed between the 18th and 25th. The 10th Battalion war diary entries for the period 17th to 19th are transcribed below.

Wellington Huts – 17.11.1916 Fri: CO went to Brigade in morning and explained operations to Officers and Segt’s i/c Platoons in the afternoon.

In evening Coys moved up to the front line via Gravel Pit. The Battalion was disposed in trenches in the following order from right:
Between O G 1 & Lucky Way: B Coy 106 strong; A Coy 114 strong

On Lucky Way: Battalion HQ with runners, signallers, ammunition supply party etc

From Lucky Way to W bank of Battery Valley: C Coy 124 strong; D Coy 111 strong/

Each Coy has 2 groups of 1 NCO & 6 men on outpost duty about 150 yards to their front during the night.

Front Line Trenches 18-11-16 Sat: Zero day, Zero hour 6.10am. Outposts were withdrawn after Battn moved into its assembly formation between 5-15am and 5.30am. Assembly formation was artillery formation of 4 waves - each wave consisting of 4 platoons, one of each Coy. Each Coy was distributed in depth and each Platoon divided into 1/2 Platoon groups at about 50 yards interval. Each group took cover in shell holes. Two waves were in front and 2 behind trenches occupied during the night.

6.10am Barrage opened and groups moved forwarded. By time leading wave had advanced 50yards in Battery Valley it became invisable to Battalion HQ owing to the darkness which was intensified by falling snow. Shortly after 6.30am C.O met O.C A Coy (Major Fitzgerald) coming back along Lucky Way with a few men and the latter informed him that everybody had lost direction and that he had been unable to get through the wire (R.14.d.8.6). Owing to the confusion and to heavy casualties he had considered it necessary to order the troops near him to withdraw Westward.

About 6.45am there was a good deal of shelling and M.G fire along Lucky Way & 2nd Lieut Gott (? regt) was killed. About 7.am CO reported to Brigade that the attack on our front had been unsuccessful & that it was not clear what was happening on the flanks. About 7.20am one or two wounded men of C&D Coys reported that these Coys had borne to the left at the bend in Battery Valley and gone on with the 8 Gloucesters. C&D and about 22 men of A&B Coys appear to have pushed through with the Gloucesters endeavored to consolidate beyond O.G.2 in neighbourhood of R.8.d.8.1 but were ultimately compelled to withdraw and hold on to O.G.1. A bombing post under Sergt Kimberley being established where the road joins the trench about R.14.d.4.8. This NCO did excellent work and held on to this post stubbonly till the 8/Gloucesters were ordered to withdraw on the night of 19/20th

He captured enemy ration parties coming out of the village on two successive nights. Just as it was getting dark an attempt was made by 9th Cheshire R to assault Desire Trench to the W of Stump Road. The Res Battn bombers and about 30 men were sent under the Bombing Officer to work in cooperation along Lucky Way. In the evening the Battn was relieved by the 9th R.W.F (left of Lucky Way) & 6th Wilts (right of Lucky Way) Coys proceeded to Wellington Huts.

Front Line Trenches 19-11-16 Sun: In the evening the Battalion was relieved by the 9^th R.W.F (left of Lucky Way) & 6^th Wilts (right of Lucky Way). Coys proceeded to Wellington Huts.

Hospital: 2^nd Lt Harcourt (wounded very slightly) went to hospital.