BAMBLETT, Albert Harold
| Service Number: | 1967 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 September 1915, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 32nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Sevenoaks, Kent, England, 10 August 1893 |
| Home Town: | Port Victoria, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Boarding School |
| Occupation: | Mechanic |
| Died: | Died of wounds, Adelaide, South Australia, 17 April 1917, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (General) Road 5, Path 7,Grave 39 |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Port Pirie Oval WW1 Memorial Gates |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1967, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Feb 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1967, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Miltiades embarkation_ship_number: A28 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Feb 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1967, 32nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Miltiades, Adelaide | |
| 19 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 1967, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix) | |
| 20 Jul 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 1967, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix), GSW (back - paraplegia) |
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Private Albert Harold Bamblett enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on the 1st of September 1915 along with his step brother Arthur Edson (10th BTN). He had arrived in Australia from Kent UK in 1913 to join his brother (Reginald) and his sisters (Ruth & Grace) and his mother Miinie. His father (Thomas) had died in England in 1907.
He commenced training with A Company 2nd Training Depot Morphettville until 31st October. Proceeding to 1st Training Depot until embarking Adelaide on the ship HMAT “A28 Miltiades” on 7th of February 1916 with the 3rd Reinforcements, 32nd Battalion.
He disembarked the 11th of March 1916 in Suez where he proceeded to train in the 8th Training Battalion. On 1st April his unit joined the 32nd battalion at Camp Zeitoun.
They were taken on strength on the 3rd of April 1916. On the 17th June 1916 Pte Bamblett embarked with the 32nd Battalion to join the B.E.F from Alexandria on the HMT “Transylvania” arriving in Marseilles’ 23rd June 1916. The Battalion proceeded to Morbecqueck that day.
On 8th July the 32nd marched to Estaires. On 16th of July D Company entered the trenches at Fleurbaix relieving the 58th Battalion on the front line. 18th July D Company were relieved. 19th July 5.45pm D Company were posted back to front line in preparation for attack. 5.53pm the attack began.
20th July Private Bamblett was wounded GSW (back) during the battalion’s withdrawal to Fleurbaix.
He was evacuated to Boulogue 13th General Hospital and transported to England 22nd July 1916 arriving at the King George Hospital London 31st July.
He was to remain nearly 8 months at the King George Hospital before being allowed to come back to Australia.
On 22nd February 1917 Private Bamblett embarked from Avon Mouth on the hospital ship SS “Koroola” due to his medical condition (GSW back and Paraplegia) arriving in Australia on 19th March 1917.
He died of his wounds 17th April 1917 at the Keswick Army Hospital having finally seen his mother and sisters again who travelled down from the country to finally see him. He had held on for 9 months to see them again. His brother Robert was still serving overseas with the Australian Artillery. His oldest brother Edward never left for Australia but was in service with ther Royal West Kent Regiment in Mesopotamia.
Albert died before the Commonwealth War Graves was established at West Terrace Adelaide so is buried in the general part West Terrace Road 5 row 7 no: 40 CWWGC.
His death deeply effected his siblings and mother. (His step brother Arthur Edson whom he enlisted with at Pt Victoria was then killed by shell fire on the 4th July 1918). Reginald was also invalided back to Australia in March 1918 wounded twice and suffering from shell shock.
Alberts plot is cared for by the CWGC and is visited regulary to this day by his family.
Albert's step-brother was SERN 4467 Pte Arthur Leslie Edson (/explore/people/229332), 10th Battalion, killed in action near Hazebrouck, France, on 4 July 1918.
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