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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.

On 22nd August, the British Fourth Army came into action when they attacked the ridge of high ground that lay between the Somme and Ancre river valleys, stretching north from Bray to the town of Albert. 47th and 12th Divisions attacked with 18th Division swinging forward to protect the left and the 3rd Australian Division covering the right. At 4.45am, 47th Division attacked using 141 and 142 Brigades, with 140 Brigade in reserve. This operation was only partially successful and after some hard fighting the first but not second objective had been captured and that evening the three battalions of 140 Brigade, 15th London, 17th London (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) and 21st London relieved 142 Brigade in the new forward positions. 47th Division returned to the offensive on the 24th August when 140 Brigade, along with 175 Brigade of 58th Division, attacked and captured an objective on the far side of Happy Valley. 17th London and 21st London headed the attack and soon reached and captured the objective despite the enemy dropping some heavy shells on Happy Valley as they were crossing it. This, together with German machine-gun fire accounted for the casualties suffered by the two battalions, one of whom was John Mathers of 17th London.