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 to Australia with his parents, where he 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 but gave the name "Albert Edward Canham." Eight days before his death, he signed an official statement declaring his name as Albert Edward Baldry. After his death, his family changed “Edward” to “Ernest” since that was the name they had given him.
Albert Ernest Baldry fell on 30 September 1917, at the age of 19, in Polygon Wood during the Battle of Passchendaele.
In September 1917, the 32nd Battalion was positioned near Ypres. On 26 September, they were sent towards 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 succeeded in capturing Polygon Wood. Around 7:30 p.m., the 31st Battalion, which had taken part in the battle, was relieved by the men of the 32nd Battalion in Polygon Wood. What followed were three days in the newly captured frontline.
On 28 September, several German counterattacks were repelled by artillery fire. Additionally, the Australians endured German bombardments. On 29 September, the German forces made several more attempts at a counterattack. These attacks were also repelled, and the Australians captured one prisoner.
On 30 September, the Australian lines came under heavy artillery fire again. As shells exploded, several soldiers in Baldry's sector were killed. Orders were given to evacuate the trench, but Baldry barely reacted; he was in complete shock. A comrade tried to motion him forward, but a second shell struck, killing 19-year-old Baldry. His body was not recovered by his comrades. It was only after the war that his remains were found in Polygon Wood and reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot LXV, Row A, Grave 12.
Albert Ernest Baldry fell on 30 September 1917, at the age of 19, in Polygon Wood during the Battle of Passchendaele.
In September 1917, the 32nd Battalion was positioned near Ypres. On 26 September, they were sent towards 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 succeeded in capturing Polygon Wood. Around 7:30 p.m., the 31st Battalion, which had taken part in the battle, was relieved by the men of the 32nd Battalion in Polygon Wood. What followed were three days in the newly captured frontline.
On 28 September, several German counterattacks were repelled by artillery fire. Additionally, the Australians endured German bombardments. On 29 September, the German forces made several more attempts at a counterattack. These attacks were also repelled, and the Australians captured one prisoner.
On 30 September, the Australian lines came under heavy artillery fire again. As shells exploded, several soldiers in Baldry's sector were killed. Orders were given to evacuate the trench, but Baldry barely reacted; he was in complete shock. A comrade tried to motion him forward, but a second shell struck, killing 19-year-old Baldry. His body was not recovered by his comrades. It was only after the war that his remains were found in Polygon Wood and reburied at 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://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 |