Albert Cornelius Jesse Verrier

Albert Cornelius Jesse Verrier

Personal Information
Date of Birth	unknown 1895
Place of Birth	Perth, Western Australia
Death	22 Dec 1967, aged 72
Place of Death	Wembley Downs, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	21 years, 10 months
Description	5' 10¼" (1.78m) tall ; 152 lbs 68.946 kg ; fair complexion ; grey eyes ; brown hair
Occupation	Engine cleaner
Religion	Baptist
Address	'The Falls', Karragullen, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr Jesse Verrier
Military Information
Reg Number	3987
Date of Enlistment	20 Sep 1915
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	11th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement, D Company / 3rd Brigade, 1st Division
Date of Embarkation	22 Nov 1915 ‒ 14 Dec 1915
Ship Embarked On	RMS Mongolia
Date of Return	17 Mar 1917 ‒ 5 May 1917
Ship Returned On	HMAT A72 Beltana
Fate	Missing in Action, later Wounded in Action 22/25 Jul 1916 at Poziéres
Monument	Kelmscott War Memorial (South panel) Roleystone Honour Board
Medals	1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal

War Service

A month after entering Blackboy Hill camp, Albert was allocated to the 12th reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion. Another month later and he had embarked for Egypt aboard RMS Mongolia where he joined the 3rd Training Battalion to complete his training. When he was taken on strength by the 11th Battalion, (2 Mar 1916) he was allocated to 'D' Company which at that time were in front line defensive positions at Habieta, protecting the Suez Canal. The battalion moved to Alexandria on 29 March 1916, preparatory to boarding the HMT Corsican for Marseilles in southern France, which they reached at 9:00am on 5 April. Later that day they entrained for a siding near Fletre in northern France which was reached on foot, and there they remained until the 20th when they moved to Sailly where they occupied the billets for the reserve force. It was here that the Battalion first commemorated the anniversary of "ANZAC Day".

On May 20th the battalion experienced the front line in France for the first time in the Petillon Sector, being shelled each day and sustaining casualties every day they are in the front line. They were attacked on the night of 30 May, and although they were able to see the enemy off, the battalion's casualties were 36 KIA, 6 MIA, and 61 WIA, more than 10% of the total unit strength. On 7 Jun 1916 the 11th Battalion was replaced in the front line and they moved to occupy billets near Fleurbaix, remaining there until the 28th when they again found themselves in Sailly. During July they carry out a successful raid during the night of the 2nd/3rd against the German front line in the Petillon Sector near Mouquet farm before moving back to absorb replacements, train and do a lot of marching cross country to toughen up. On 19 Jul 1916 they entered the firing line in the Pozières sector replacing the Durham Light Infantry. The next two days were spent improving the line, digging communication trenches, and moving stores and ammunition in preparation for an attack on Pozieres.

On the night of 22/23rd July the battalion, supported by the 9th and 12th Battalions and the 1st Australian Infantry Brigade, attacked the German positions south east of Pozieres, with 'D' Company (Albert's lot) closest to Pozières. The attack was more successful than expected with light casualties by the time they reached the ruins of Pozieres. Two days of follow up skirmishing around the town was then followed on the 25th by heavy shelling. Although they had been under constant shell fire since the 23rd, on the 25th the intense German bombardment lasted from 6:00am until 8:00pm that night. The 11th Battalion, along with other units involved suffered severe casualties in what many felt was the worst bombardment ever faced by the Australians.

Albert was reported missing on 25 July 1916 when his unit came out of the line, but he was later found wounded with shell wounds to his neck and head (serious), his right arm, right knee, and left foot (slight). His records don't tell us when this occurred, but it is entirely likely to have been the German bombardment of the 25th. Albert was embarked in Calais on HMHS Dieppe for England on 31 Jul 1916, and was admitted next day to the Northern General Hospital in Lincoln. It was not until 18 Dec that he was well enough to be discharged from the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital for furlough. He again entered hospital, this time the 3rd London General Hospital on 1 Feb 1917, with the result that he was discharged on 17 Mar 1917 so that he could be returned to Australia. Medically discharged at 5th Military District on 6 Oct 1917. Albert was granted a pension of 45/- per fortnight from 7 Oct 1917.

Post War

Albert married Tempest Hannah Martin in North Fremantle on 27 Mar 1920. Tempest Hannah died 1959 aged 63.

Birth Notice: VERRIER (nee Hannah Martin).—On January 7, at 'Hopetoun', Harvest road, North Fremantle, to Mr. and Mrs. A. Verrier, of 74 Norfolk street, North Perth - a son (John George). Both well.

Birth Notice: VERRIER. - On January 19, at their residence 243 Vincent street, North Perth to Mr. and Mrs. Verrier — a son (Albert Jesse). Both well.

Birth Notice: VERRIER. — On February 24, at 243 Vincent street, to Mr. and Mrs. A. Verrier — a son (Lionel Douglas). Both well.

Electoral Roll entries - 1925 - 1936 with Tempest Hannah at 243 Vincent street, Leederville, shop assistant; 1937 - 1954 , dealer; 1943 with John George, oxy welder; 1949 with Albert Jesse, dealer; 1958 - 1963 at 131 Robert street, Como, storekeeper.

External Links

• AIF Project
• RSL Virtual War Memorial