Military History

Theatre of War	Medals	Commonwealth War Grave of Memorial
France and Flanders	1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals	Heilly Station Cemetery
Arrived in Theatre	Medal Citation (if app)	SWFHS Area Memorials
13 Jul 1915 (Balkans)	~	Welford on Avon
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed	Date and Place Enlisted	Other War Memorials
Battle of Bazentin Ridge (Somme)	August 1914 at Birmingham	~
Place of Death	Previous Regiments or Units
No 38 CCS at Mericourt-l'Abbe	~

Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)           

Albert is listed as having died of his wounds on 17 Jul 1916 during the Battle of Bazentine Ridge, which was one the first stages of the Battle of the Somme. It has not been possible to identify exactly when he was wounded. He was admitted to, and died at, the 38th Casualty Clearing Station at Mericourt-l'Abbe.

The single, 3 page, war diary entry covering the period 13th to 20th July is transcribed below.

13th Jul 1916 - In the Field:- The whole Division moved forward. The Battalion embarked? in Mamatz Wood. At 3.00am on the morning of the 14th [July], the 20th Brigade attacked the German second line trenches. The 22nd Brigade followed up 2 Bn R War R leading. The battn left the eastern cover of Mametz Wood at 4.30am passed over the German front line trench and reformed south of Bazentin-le-Grande wood. From this point the objective was CIRCUS TRENCH.

C Coy went forward and took CIRCUS TRENCH under very heavy fire. D Coy followed up in support and started consolidating then went onto to assist Royal Sussex Regt in BAZENTIN-le-PETIT WOOD who had severe fighting at close quarters driving the Germans out of the northern portion of the wood & village. The company did splendidly bring about 80 men at 2.30pm the company reformed in CIRCUS TRENCH with C Coy.

1/2 of B Coy oushed on to the BAZENTIN-le-PETIT & BAZENTIN-le-GRAND Road, several casualties occured from machine guns, then pushed onto BAZENTIN-le-GRAND village, the Coy kept up a running fight but not strong enough to dislodge the enemy. Sergt Poultney got 4 machine guns.

The Germans counter attacked but were driven back by D Coy assisted by a few of A Coy. d Coy then went on and helped to consolidate the same line as A.

At about 8pm the whole Bn took up positions covering the South East of the village BAZENTIN-le-PETIT. A&D Coys in the vicinity of the cemetery. B&C Coys N.E of the village with patrols on the Westof the village. All 4 Companies had a bad time shelled constantly but dug in and saved a great many by their prompt action in consolidating. Kept up this position all through 15th July.

The Battalion was relieved at 2am on the 16th and bivouaced in FRITZ trench and remained there until till the 19th inst when 2 Coys occupied the trench to the east of BAZENTIN-le-PETIT WOOD & 2 Coys remained in support. Head Quarters Company stayed in MARLBORO WOOD. The whole division moved out on the evening of the 20th and the Battalion proceeded to bivouacs at DERNACOURT.

The following officers joined during this period for duty [7 names]. END