Albert William Barratt
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Birth | Not Known |
| 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 (55.8 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 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A34 Persic |
| Date of Return | 18 April 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | S.S. Llanstephan Castle |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Kelmscott (Listed on monument as W.) |
Pre War
Wife moves from Kelmscott to Gosnells some time after he enlists. Locals who were included in other reinforcement drafts that shared the voyage to England on the Persic included Alfred Needham, George Mouatt Dow, David Forbes Abernethy, Charles Mitchell, and Joseph Smith.
War Service
On arrival in England Albert is posted to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone where he takes 3 days unauthorised leave (AWOL) in April 1917.
He embarks for France at Southampton on 18 Jun 1917 and joins the 28th Battalion on 3 Jul 1917 at Bapaume before it moves to billets at Cassels. The battalion is going through rebuilding with 287 new men joining during July. Soon after Albert is 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 is sent via HS Grantully Castle to England for admittance (debility) to Queen Mary's Military Hospital in Lancashire.
HS Grantully Castle
Sent home to Australia due to his ill health (Debility and Premature Senility). Discharged 5th Military District 25 Apr 1918. Returned to Aust Ship: S.S. Llanstephan Castle Dates: 15 Feb 1918 to 18 Apr 1918 Death: 3 Mar 1952 Gosnells
Under the heading 'Qualified for Khaki, Albert is listed along with A.L. Bettenay of Karragullen.[1]
Post War
In 1898 he had married Nora Agnes Maud Prosser. The 1910 Electoral roll lists him as a gardener at Harris, Lawlers (Leonora) and in 1916 he is living with his wife Norah Alice Maud in Kelmscott. By 1925 his address is Albany rd, Gosnells, an orchardist. In 1949 no change, but children have arrived - 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, and Olive E. who married Reginald C. Carter. 10 grandchildren at that point.
Aged 79 Albert's death is reported[2]. Leaves wife Dolly and 6 children, 2 of whom have pre-deceased him.