Pte
Albert James Major

Information about birth

Date of birth:
17/04/1881
Place of birth:
Hounslow, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom

General information

Profession:
Day laborer

Army information

Country:
England, United Kingdom
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
46151
Enlistment place:
Egham, Surrey, England, United Kingdom
Units:
 —  Lancashire Fusiliers, 19th Bn. (3rd Salford) (Pioneers)  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
17/10/1917
Place of death:
Kansas Cross, Langemark, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
36

Cemetery

New Irish Farm Cemetery
Plot: VII
Row: E
Grave: 4

Distinctions and medals 2

British War Medal
Medal — 20/05/1921
Victory Medal
Medal — 20/05/1921

Points of interest 3

#1 Place of birth
#2 Enlistment place
#3 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Private Albert James Major served in the Lancashire Fusiliers, 19th Battalion (3rd Salford). This Pioneer Battalion was part of the Divisional Troops of the 49th (West Riding) Division. Which participated in the Third Battle of Ypres.

From the 5th of October 1917 onwards the 19th Lancashire Fusiliers was stationed along the Saville Road, between the city of Ypres and the hamlet of Potijze. During the month of October they worked on maintaining and laying roads, duckboards and tracks over the shell logged terrain. This work was vital in getting troops and supplies to the frontline, as the terrain was utterly cut to pieces by the constant shell fire.

Starting from the 13th of October 1917 all Companies of the Battalion were working on part of a plank road running from the hamlet of Wieltje to Kansas Cross (D.13.c.30.70 – D.14.a.20.10). The 19th Northumberland Fusiliers suffered several casualties throughout the month of October 1917. Because all the work had to be done during the daylight, as it was impossible to see sufficient at night. Hence the 19th Lancashire Fusiliers were constantly shelled. Working in the open and during the daytime made the men an easy target for the German artillery. Though the work was highly dangerous, it had to be done, as the road would serve as a highway for the Canadian troops, who would eventually capture the heights at Passchendaele between 26 October and 10 November 1917.

On the 17th of October 1917 the 19th Lancashire Fusiliers suffered a total of twenty-nine casualties while working on the road to Kansas Cross. Twenty-five men were wounded and four men were killed instantly, due to German artillery fire. Private Albert James Major was one of the men who was killed on this fateful day. The 37-year-old was buried on New Irish Farm Cemetery.

Files 3

Sources 4

Ancestry
http://home.ancestry.co.uk/
Further reference
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/452725/major,-albert-james/
Sources used
The Long, Long Trail
http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/
Sources used
War Diary Lancashire Fusiliers 19th Bn.
http://www.nmarchive.com/
Further reference