Pte
Frederick James Albert
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1893 |
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Place of birth: Canterbury, Kent, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Merewether, New South Wales, Australia, Australia |
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Profession: Plumber |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 2520 |
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Enlistment date: 07/05/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Marrickville, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, A.I.F., 36th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 12/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Seine, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 24 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: XXXIV Row: D Grave: 23 |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) | ||
| #4 | Sterfteplaats |
My story
Frederick James Albert was the son of Richard and Jane Albert. He was born around 1893 in Canterbury, Kent, England and worked as a plumber. Shortly before the war, at the age of 21, he moved to Merewether, New South Wales, Australia. Frederick enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 22 May 1916. He served in the 36th Battalion Australian Infantry Regiment (9th Australian Brigade, 3rd Division). Albert was married to Lillie Belle Albert.
On 11 October 1917 at 7 pm the 36th Battalion left the Cavalry Camp. On their way to the Potsdam area the Germans started shelling the railway line from the direction of Broockenbroodhoek. This is where the first casualties of the 36th Battalion fell. In the meantime, gas masks had to be used regularly because of gas attacks. This caused occasional breaks in the line, but also because the road was severely cut off by grenades. From Zonnebeke railway station the shelling became more intense. At Daring Crossing there was a regular barrage from the Germans. During this approach march alone there were 100 casualties. Around Daring Crossing and the Marne the 36th Battalion remained there. During the attack of the first Battle of Passchendaele the barrage was very heavy and fell over the Cemetery and the Centre of Augustus Wood. The casualties were very heavy and a number of direct hits from grenades were notable. The 35th and 36th Battalions were engaged in clearing dug-outs which had not been damaged by the Australian barrage. Near Hillside Farm the first and most serious attack on a dug-out took place, but this resulted in many casualties. Because of these casualties the line had to be consolidated and held until reinforcements arrived. After the capture of the Red Line some snipers gave trouble from Augustus Wood until a party was detailed to go over and clear them. On the afternoon of 12 October 1917 Germans were seen in force from Passchendaele Road, advancing on the Australian flank and from the front at Enlist Farm and Echo Copse. However, as it was impossible to hold, a new line was formed from Augustus Wood to the junction of Passchendaele Road and Railway. At sunrise the reorganisation of the 3 battalions in line took place.
This attack resulted in 300 wounded soldiers and approximately 114 casualties for the 36th Battalion. On this day, 12 October 1917, Frederick also died from a shell explosion on the Seine, at Zonnebeke. According to eyewitnesses, his body fell into a shell hole in No Man's Land, where he died instantly. Other eyewitnesses state that the shell hit the dug-out where Frederick and others of his battalion were resting after returning from the line. Many others, including Frederick, were killed or wounded. Frederick died at the age of 25. Frederick James Albert is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery (XXXIV, D, 23). He is also commemorated in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, panel 126.
On 11 October 1917 at 7 pm the 36th Battalion left the Cavalry Camp. On their way to the Potsdam area the Germans started shelling the railway line from the direction of Broockenbroodhoek. This is where the first casualties of the 36th Battalion fell. In the meantime, gas masks had to be used regularly because of gas attacks. This caused occasional breaks in the line, but also because the road was severely cut off by grenades. From Zonnebeke railway station the shelling became more intense. At Daring Crossing there was a regular barrage from the Germans. During this approach march alone there were 100 casualties. Around Daring Crossing and the Marne the 36th Battalion remained there. During the attack of the first Battle of Passchendaele the barrage was very heavy and fell over the Cemetery and the Centre of Augustus Wood. The casualties were very heavy and a number of direct hits from grenades were notable. The 35th and 36th Battalions were engaged in clearing dug-outs which had not been damaged by the Australian barrage. Near Hillside Farm the first and most serious attack on a dug-out took place, but this resulted in many casualties. Because of these casualties the line had to be consolidated and held until reinforcements arrived. After the capture of the Red Line some snipers gave trouble from Augustus Wood until a party was detailed to go over and clear them. On the afternoon of 12 October 1917 Germans were seen in force from Passchendaele Road, advancing on the Australian flank and from the front at Enlist Farm and Echo Copse. However, as it was impossible to hold, a new line was formed from Augustus Wood to the junction of Passchendaele Road and Railway. At sunrise the reorganisation of the 3 battalions in line took place.
This attack resulted in 300 wounded soldiers and approximately 114 casualties for the 36th Battalion. On this day, 12 October 1917, Frederick also died from a shell explosion on the Seine, at Zonnebeke. According to eyewitnesses, his body fell into a shell hole in No Man's Land, where he died instantly. Other eyewitnesses state that the shell hit the dug-out where Frederick and others of his battalion were resting after returning from the line. Many others, including Frederick, were killed or wounded. Frederick died at the age of 25. Frederick James Albert is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery (XXXIV, D, 23). He is also commemorated in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, panel 126.
Sources 5
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Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), RCDIG1036726). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
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AWM4 Subclass 23/53 - Infantry (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/53/12). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
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McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), 127. Sources used |
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Roll of Honour Cards, 1914-18 War (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM145). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
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Unit embarkation nomination rolls, 1914-18 War (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM8). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
More information 3
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461717 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=2b6c5b3d-cab9-4c7a-bfce-02ce38bdad47 |
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The AIF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=1979 |