Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Albert Geal was the older brother of 2168 Private George Geal 59th Battalion AIF, who died of wounds in France on 2 June 1918, aged 22.

The Geal family lived in Springvale Road, Tunstall (listed as Tunstall Pottery), when the brothers enlisted, an area now known as Nunawading.

The family were English and arrived in Australia in February, 1890, the parents bringing with them Edwin (aged 4), Alice (2) and Albert (noted born in Surrey) 15 months of age. The next five children were born locally. 

Albert was one of the hundreds posted as Missing after the attack at Fromelles on the night of 19 July, 1916 but unlike most of the casualties, there is no supporting Red Cross file supporting the inquiry held 28 August, 1917. Geal was simply never seen again, after he went over the parapet.

The following appeared Camberwell and Hawthorn Advertiser on Friday 28 June 1918.

'In Tunstall profound sorrow and sympathy is felt and expressed for Mr. and Mrs. Geal, whose two brave sons, Albert and George, have given their young lives for their country. Everyone who knows the bereaved parents, and everyone who knew the bright young lads, their sons, who will never return, feels the loss as deeply as if it were a family bereavement. The first son to get into khaki was Albert, who enlisted three years ago in the 59th battalion. He was born in Ryegate, Surrey, England, but came to Australia when only 15 months old. He first saw six months service in Egypt, and was among the earliest of the Australians who were transferred into the bloody fields of France. At Fromelles the brave lad met his fate. On July 19, 1916, he was reported 'missing,' and for fifteen long, cruel months the father and mother hoped against hope that the dear son might come back to them. But that was not to be. He had died as heroes die. Always did he write home the cheeriest of letters — just the natural outcome of his own bright and cheerful personality. This, despite the cruel fact that not one of the scores of home letters mother, sister or friends wrote him ever reached him. Albert Geal was not only one of the most likeable and popular young men in Tunstall, but he was also a very clever one. In his father's pottery on Springvale Road, he had learned every detail of the art of which his father is an acknowledged master; in fact, his knowledge of this art-craft was so thorough, and his artistic sense so keen, that a life's success was assured. Albert Geal was well-known in all local athletics, and was in the first rank of district footballers. Every member of his team testifies to his universal popularity as a player.'