Pte
Albert Ernest Baldry
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1898 |
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Place of birth: Eastbridge, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Butcher |
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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: 2577 |
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Enlistment date: 22/01/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 32nd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 30/09/1917 |
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Place of death: Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 19 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: LXV Row: A Grave: 12 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Albert Ernest Baldry was born around 1898 in Eastbridge, Suffolk, United Kingdom. He was the son of William and Mary Baldry. He moved with his parents to Australia and became a butcher. On 22 January 1916, he enlisted in Adelaide, South Australia. He was assigned to C Company, 32nd Battalion, First Australian Imperial Force. However, he did not enlist under his birth name, instead providing the name "Albert Edward Canham." Eight days before his death, he finally signed an official statement declaring his name as Albert Edward Baldry. After his death, his family changed the name "Edward" to "Ernest," as this was the name they had given him.
In September 1917, the 32nd Battalion was in the vicinity of Ypres. On 26 September, they were sent to Halfway House near Zillebeke as a reserve battalion. On that same day, the Battle of Polygon Wood took place, during which the 5th Australian Division successfully captured Polygon Wood. Around 7:30 p.m., the 31st Battalion, which had participated in the battle, was relieved by the men of the 32nd Battalion in Polygon Wood. What followed were three days in the newly captured front line.
On 28 September, several German counterattacks were repelled by shellfire. The Australians themselves also faced German bombardments. On 29 September, German troops made further attempts at a counterattack. Once again, these were repelled, and the Australians captured one prisoner.
On 30 September, the Australian lines came under heavy fire again. As shells exploded, several soldiers in the sector where Baldry was stationed were killed. Orders were given to leave the trench, but Baldry showed little response; he was completely distraught. A comrade tried to motion him forward, but a second shell struck, killing the 19-year-old Baldry. His body was not recovered by his comrades. Only after the war was his body reburied in Tyne Cot Cemetery, plot LXV, row A, grave 12.
In September 1917, the 32nd Battalion was in the vicinity of Ypres. On 26 September, they were sent to Halfway House near Zillebeke as a reserve battalion. On that same day, the Battle of Polygon Wood took place, during which the 5th Australian Division successfully captured Polygon Wood. Around 7:30 p.m., the 31st Battalion, which had participated in the battle, was relieved by the men of the 32nd Battalion in Polygon Wood. What followed were three days in the newly captured front line.
On 28 September, several German counterattacks were repelled by shellfire. The Australians themselves also faced German bombardments. On 29 September, German troops made further attempts at a counterattack. Once again, these were repelled, and the Australians captured one prisoner.
On 30 September, the Australian lines came under heavy fire again. As shells exploded, several soldiers in the sector where Baldry was stationed were killed. Orders were given to leave the trench, but Baldry showed little response; he was completely distraught. A comrade tried to motion him forward, but a second shell struck, killing the 19-year-old Baldry. His body was not recovered by his comrades. Only after the war was his body reburied in Tyne Cot Cemetery, plot LXV, row A, grave 12.
Sources 3
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32nd Infantry Battalion, (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/49/26). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
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Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), RCDIG1037772.) https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
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First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920, (National Archives of Australia, Canberra (NAA), B2455, BALDRY A E). https://www.naa.gov.au/ Sources used |
More information 4
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461803 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7348257 |
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The AIF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=45515 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=d5cb4262-73de-4e6d-b645-c27a41644dd7 |