Military History

Albert was initially reported as missing in action on 30 Nov 1917 and letters written to the Red Cross by his family reveal that they were still looking for him in the following April. The Red Cross had no trace of him and his death was later accepting as having occured on the 30th November. The war diary for that day is transcribed below.

Lateau Wood 30-11-17: the Company, having taken up its position with 12 guns, was attacked about 7:00 AM by a large number of enemy aeroplanes flying very low and firing down on those with machine guns holster there was also a heavy bombardment of artillery, which put out of action three of our guns. Some of the remnants of our guns were rapidly mounted for anti-aircraft and we're busy firing when the enemy infantry surprised them from a very few yards away. They quickly remounted their guns and opened on the advancing infantry helping to cover the retirement of our own infantry.

The O I C of the company was in his dugout near the Brigade HQ on the Sunken Road when he was informed of this attack. He went out with the Sergeant Major and all HQ men and took up a position in a trench where he found a machine gun without a team. He went forward whilst this gun was firing to seek a better position since when he has been missing. The Sergeant Major took over control and continued to fire the gun until it was put out of action by a machine gun bullet. He then held that part of the trench for an hour with bombs. He and his men took up another position where they found two machine guns we've only one man in charge and remained there until 4.00pm when he reported to an officer of the 61st Machine Gun Company and worked under his command until they were relieved three days later.

We lost the 12 guns all of which were either put out of action or disabled before being left. Of three guns I have no information as none of these teams has returned. The second in command who was at transport near Heudicourt was given two guns and he, with the remainder of the men of the Company proceeded to a position between the Gouzeaucourt – Heudicourt Road and the Gouzeaucourt-Fins Road, where he reported to the C O of the 11th Battalion Rifle Brigade and took up two positions in a line of trench which they were preparing. He remained there until recalled to Heudicourt on the following afternoon.

The company by rail, transport by road proceeded to Ribemont. END