Albert Edward See
From Our Contribution
 Kings Park Memorial walk, May drive | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c October 1886 |
| Place of Birth | Buckden, Huntington, England |
| Death | 20 Sep 1917 |
| Place of Death | Polygon Wood, Westhoek, Belgium |
| Age at Enlistment | 30 years, 11 months |
| Description |
5'5" (1.65m) tall ; 138 lbs 62.596 kg ; medium complexion ; blue eyes ; dark brown hair |
| Occupation | Timber worker |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Newtown, Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Margaret Mary See |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 5086 |
| Date of Enlistment | 8 Mar 1916 |
| Rank | Lance Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 13th reinforcement /7th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 18 Jul 1916 ‒ 9 Sep 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A48 Seang Bee |
| Fate | Killed in Action 20 Sep 1917, Menin Road |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale War Memorial Jarrahdale Honour Roll Menin Gate Memorial ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) Australian War Memorial |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Albert was born at Buckden, Huntingdon, England in 1885. His parents were Thomas and Mary Anne See. Albert had a sister and two brothers. It is not known when the family emigrated to Western Australia. Albert attended Victoria Park primary school and as a young man was an all-round sportsman. His work experience involved carpentry skills and he was employed as a mill hand in the timber industry around Jarrahdale and also may have worked in the grocery trade. Albert married Margaret and they had three sons, Edward, William and Norman and lived in State Street, Victoria Park.
Electoral Roll entries - 1913 - 1916 at No 6 Mill, Jarrahdale with Margaret Mary, mill hand.
War Service
After 4 weeks basic training at Blackboy Hill camp, Bert was allocated to the 13th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion, and was appointed a Lance Corporal on 8 Sep 1916 for the voyage on HMAT A48 Seang Bee. Albert was later to give up this rank when he entered France. On arrival at Plymouth in England he was sent to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone, and on 16 Nov 1916 Bert proceeded overseas to France through Folkestone aboard the HMT Victoria.
Before joining his unit, Bert spent time at the Divisional Base Depot where he received some final training relating to trench warfare from experienced troops. He also spent time in the 26th General Hospital Étaples from 19 - 27 Dec 1916 with influenza, and time in No 6 Convalescent Depot before he joined the 28th Battalion on 23 Jan 1917 as they were assuming front line duties near Armentieres.
From 16 Mar 1917 until 11 May 1917 Bert was absent from the unit receiving treatment for a bout of Trench Fever. Seen on 16 Mar 1917 by the 6th Field Ambulance, and the nearby Casualty Clearing Station, he was transferred by Ambulance Train on 19 Mar 1917 to the No. 11 Stationary Hospital in Rouen, which released him on 31 Mar 1917 to No. 2 Convalescent Depot. On 26 Apr 1917 he had returned to the 2nd Division's Base Depot and on 11 May 1917 he was back with the 28th Battalion.
On 20 Sep 1917 the 28th Battalion was involved in the first of a series of thrusts by British forces that were to become known as the Third Battle of Ypres. The 28th Battalion achieved its objectives, but in doing so, it lost 66 men killed in action (Albert included), 36 missing, and more than 190 wounded, 11 of whom died from their wounds.
Post War
Wife granted a pension of 40/- per fortnight from 10 Dec 1917. The three sons also received pensions: Edward Morris 20/- fortnightly; William Thomas (b. 1914) 15/- fortnightly; and Norman Douglas (b. 1916) 10/- fortnightly.
Margaret remarried in 1925 to Richard John Gulley who died aged 75 in 1969. Margaret died 18 Jul 1974 in Mt Lawley aged 88.
Notes