Albert William Barratt
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 29 Dec 1872 |
| Place of Birth | Perth, Western Australia |
| Death | 3 March 1952 |
| Place of Death | Gosnells, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 43 years, 3 months |
| Description |
5' 5 3/4" (1.67m) tall ; 123 lbs 55.792 kg ; sallow complexion ; brown eyes ; dark hair |
| Occupation | Orchardist |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Address | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 6295 |
| Date of Enlistment | 4 September 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 18th Reinforcement, 7th Bde, 2nd Div |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 December 1916 ‒ 3 Mar 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A34 Persic |
| Date of Return | 15 Feb 1918 ‒ 18 April 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | HMHS Llanstephan Castle |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Kelmscott War Memorial (West panel) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
In 1898 he had married Nora Agnes Maud Prosser. Children - Irene Phyllis in 1899 at Claremont (married Warren F. Paskett), Raymond Digby in Perth during 1901 (died before 1952), and Constance Beatrice in Claremont during 1903 (married Edgar H. [Ted] Hamling), Vivien (died before 1952), Norman Wilfred (1908 - 1986), and Olive E. (1912 - 20 Dec 1984, aged 72) who married Reginald C. Carter.
The 1910 Electoral roll lists him as a gardener at Harris, Lawlers (Leonora) and in 1916 he is living with his wife in Kelmscott.
War Service
Wife moved from Kelmscott to Gosnells some time after he enlisted. Locals who were included in other reinforcement drafts that shared the voyage to England on the Persic included Alfred Tennyson Needham, George Mouatt Dow, David Forbes Abernethy, Charles John Mitchell, and Joseph Smith.
'Qualified for Khaki, Albert is listed along with Arthur Leworthy Bettenay of Karragullen.[1]
On arrival in England Albert was posted to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone where he took 3 days unauthorised leave (AWOL) in April 1917.
He embarked for France at Southampton on 18 Jun 1917 and joined the 28th Battalion on 3 Jul 1917 at Bapaume before it moved to billets at Cassels. The battalion was going through a rebuilding phase, with 287 new men joining during July. Soon after, Albert was hospitalised with Trench Fever (23 Aug to 4 Sep 1917), and again on 13 Sep 1917 from billets at Steenvoorde. This time after being seen by the 7th Australian Field Ambulance, and the 56th General Hospital in Etaples, he was sent via HMHS Grantully Castle to England for admittance (debility) to Queen Mary's Military Hospital in Whalley, Lancashire.
Sent home to Australia due to his ill health (Debility and Premature Senility). Discharged 5th Military District 25 Apr 1918.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 at Albany rd, Gosnells, an orchardist. In 1949 no change. 10 grandchildren at time of his death.
Aged 79 Albert's death is reported[2]. Leaves wife Dolly and 6 children, 2 of whom have pre-deceased him.
References
- ↑ "QUALIFIED FOR KHAKI.". The Daily News. XXXV, (12,833). Western Australia. 27 March 1916. p. 6 (THIRD EDITION). Retrieved 18 May 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ↑ "Family Notices". The West Australian. 68, (20,477). Western Australia. 6 March 1952. p. 20. Retrieved 18 May 2017 – via National Library of Australia.