Pte
Albert Edward Varker
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 31/07/1898 |
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Place of birth: Walworth, Surrey, England, United Kingdom |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 40908 |
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Enlistment place: Whitehall, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Lancashire Fusiliers, 20th Bn. (4th Salford) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 23/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Houthulst Forest, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 19 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 59 |
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
Private Albert Edward Varker served in the Lancashire Fusiliers, 20th (Service) Battalion (4th Salford), part of the 104th Brigade, of the 35th Division.
On the 23rd of October 1917, the Battalion was located near les 5 Chemins just south of the Houthulst Forest. They occupied these positions on the previous day. On the 23rd the Battalion was ordered to raid a couple of huts (at coordinate V.1.a.) in the Houthulst Forest. Three men were tasked to go forward as scouts. They surprised a German machine gun post and bayonetted the machine gunner. When they returned to the rest of the Battalion, the patrol brought back the machine gun and four unwounded prisoners of the Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 119. However, as they went back, the German line sent up SOS signals and opened up heavy artillery fire. Machine guns were firing from both flanks and from the huts. As a result, considerable casualties were made.
Private Albert Edward Varker was killed in action on the 23th of October 1917, at Houthulst Forest. It is highly likely that he fell during the raid, while returning to the British line. His remains were never identified. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
On the 23rd of October 1917, the Battalion was located near les 5 Chemins just south of the Houthulst Forest. They occupied these positions on the previous day. On the 23rd the Battalion was ordered to raid a couple of huts (at coordinate V.1.a.) in the Houthulst Forest. Three men were tasked to go forward as scouts. They surprised a German machine gun post and bayonetted the machine gunner. When they returned to the rest of the Battalion, the patrol brought back the machine gun and four unwounded prisoners of the Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 119. However, as they went back, the German line sent up SOS signals and opened up heavy artillery fire. Machine guns were firing from both flanks and from the huts. As a result, considerable casualties were made.
Private Albert Edward Varker was killed in action on the 23th of October 1917, at Houthulst Forest. It is highly likely that he fell during the raid, while returning to the British line. His remains were never identified. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Sources 1
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20 Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers , (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/2484/3). https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14303 Further reference |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/825370 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=1ca10a9d-a6ba-4f62-8666-fb4dc1fea33c |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/4548611 |