Current Information:

Born-Bedford

Enlisted-Whitehall

The Battle of Albert was a continuation of the Battle of Amiens that had been fought earlier in the month and which had been the start of the Hundred Days Offensive that culminated in the collapse of the German army and the end of the war. On the first day, 21st August, the British Third Army attacked along a front that stretched over ten miles northwards from the town of Albert as far as Moyenneville and made significant advances everywhere.

At 4.45am on 21st August, 37th Division attacked from positions near Bucquoy with 111 Brigade and 63 Brigade in front. The early morning fog that accompanied this operation proved to be a double-edged sword. On the plus side it it screened the troops from enemy view as they moved forward but at the same time it became exceedingly difficult for the men to maintain direction and to keep contact with the tanks that were accompanying them. By 5.30am, the 10th Royal Fusilier battalion of 111 Brigade had captured their objective, the village of Ablainzevelle, without too much difficulty except for some machine-guns from the left of the village which had not been neutralised by the artillery. This caused some casualties among C Company but was soon dealt with. With this first objective successfully taken the 63rd Division then passed through to continue the attack. Overall the battalion’s casualties were light but there was some losses including Raleigh Goman who was killed in action.