Military History

Albert is listed as being killed in action on October 3rd 1916. The 15th Battalion war diary entries for the period 1st to the 4th October are transcribed below.

Dernacourt – Oct 1 [1916]: Battalion in Dernacourt training and preparing to move up to the line.

Mametz – Oct 2: Battalion moved into Mametz. Much rain. Roads in bad condition.

Mametz – Oct 3: Battalion moved into the line via Thistle Dump and Turk Lane. Disposition as follows: A Coy on right; C Coy in centre; D Coy on left in Gird Line. B Coy in support in Pioneer Lane.

Mametz, Somme – Oct 4: Soon after 5am the enemy delivered a bombing attack on the right of D Coy and left of C Coy, their objective was the high ground at the junction of the two Coys. The attack was determined. We defended ourselves with bombs and machine guns and appeared to do good execution. The action appeared to be more pressed on the right than our left and the trench mortars were of some assistance towards the end.

The difficulty of getting into ? with the trench mortar prevented they earlier use. A New Zealand machine gun team were of particular assistance – all except of the team were hit. A party of 13 bombers from the 18 K R R C came up at a crucial moment on the left and remained in the line assisting in repelling the attack. The action of 2/Lts Gorman and Trever of this Regt were most commendable. They determinedly led bombing counter-attacks & in the case of the former officer, not only drive the enemy out of trench after a few men had occupied it , but established the Bombing post 25 yards further up the sap.