Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Ablert John BRACKPOOL, Liverpool Road, Ashfield, NSW

Husbane of Veronica Josephine BRACKPOOL, 35 Hopetoun Avenue, Vaucluse, Sydney, NSW

Albert Arnold Brackpool was born on the 9th of February 1894, to Albert John and Georgina Eliza Brackpool, in Randwick, Colony of New South Wales. Educated at Petersham High School, upon graduating Albert studied accountancy and joined the reserves in 1912. In April of 1916, Albert enlists into the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) for service in the Great War and is posted to the 56th Battalion. In May of 1917, he arrives in France, four months later he is severely wounded, sustaining a gun shot wound to the chest. After three months of surgery and rehabilitation, Albert returns to France in December 1917. He spends the remainder of the war and after the Armistice between France and England, until late 1919 when he returns home to Australia and his appointment in the AIF is terminated in February 1920.

He remains with the part time military in various capacities during the interbellum period. In his civilian life Albert starts working for the Sydney City council as an accountant. In the early to mid 1920’s he masters the art of fencing and participates in many competitions. He marries Miss Veronica Josephine Burke in 1930 and has two daughters: Louise and Anne.

At the tail end, of the worst of the Great Depression, in late 1931, Albert is appointed as the treasurer for the Sydney City Council, this appointment was questioned with some controversy, as it was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, in February 1932, that Mr Brackpool was helped with his appointment as an accountant to the Sydney City Council by Brigadier-General Bennett, implicating favoritism, being that both men are members of the same Masonic Lodge. This controversy was squashed by a vote favoring Albert. The appointment of council treasurer he maintains until his retirement in 1946. 

In March 1935, Albert is appointed to the New South Wales division of the “Federal Institute of Accountants” as vice chairman. Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, Albert’s duties with military increases (home service, recruiting, etc), eventually to a full-time position in 1942. He is put on the retired list in May 1944, after nearly 32 years of service between full-time and part-time roles in the Australian Military.

After retiring from the military and the treasurer’s position at the Sydney City Council, Albert distances himself from public life. On the 21st of May 1961, Albert dies, he was survived by his wife of over 30 years and his two daughters.

Reference –

NSW Births, Death’s and Marriages Website

NLA Trove Newspapers Website

NAA WW1 records Website

Ancestry Website

S Cox, PM, May 2023