Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Being one of the most devastating and historical events ever happened in human history that led to despair and misery of over a billion people on Earth, World War I is still being remembered and taught in most countries today. It began in 1914 but there was no single definitive factor that triggered the war, although it is believed that it was mainly caused by the political conflict between the two opposing sides, The Central Powers composed of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Bulgaria against The Allied Powers which was comprised of Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Japan and the United States. When Britain declared war on Germany on 4th of August 1914, as many Australians accepted the news with high enthusiasm, volunteers rushed to enlist for the adventurous, exciting war which was expected to be over by Christmas. Contrary to their expectations, World War I continued for as many as 4 years and remains the most costly conflict in terms of deaths and casualties.

On 17th of July 1896, a cry of a newborn baby boy who soon became a brave soldier resounded near the town of Craigie in Victoria, Australia. His name was Albert Lee, who grew up together with his brothers and sisters raised by his widowed mother, Nellie Lee who lived in Palmerston St. in Maryborough. As he was a Christian that followed the Church of England, he was also a young miller prior to the enlistment, who worked in a corn mill.

At the peak of his youth, Albert enlisted on 8th of March, 1916, at the age of 20 years and 9 months at Langwarrin, Victoria. Just like many others who thought it would be an exciting experience and adventure, Albert also volunteered to be enlisted in his own adamant will and of course, he was proved healthy and fit to be enlisted and for active services. He was able to see required distance with either eye, his heart and lungs were healthy, he had free use of joints and limbs, he was not subject to fits of any description and didn’t have any disease. Albert was promoted as a private for the 6th Battalion Infantry A.I.F. and was appointed the service number of 6628.

After 7 months of waiting, on the 3rd of October 1916, the day of crucial occurrence, with a grim resolution, Albert embarked upon a ship named HMAT Nestor A71 in the Melbourne port, with those who were all in the same boat as him. After a long, strained sailing, he disembarked in Plymouth, England on 16th of November.

On 8th of February, 1917, he proceeded to Etaples, France for a day from Folkestone to join his unit after training in 2nd Recruit Training Battalion for 4 months. Additionally, Folkestone was an important port in England during the World War 1 with approximately 10 million troops and others passing through the harbour. Moreover, Etaples was located on the North edge of France which became a vast Allied military camp and then a significant ‘hospital city’ during the First World War. Albert proceeded to join his unit which was 6th Battalion Infantry A.I.F. 21st Reinforcements on 11th of February.

Albert’s first experience of having a disease during the service was on 23rd of March, 1917. One day, he couldn’t beat the severe itchiness from the red, bulging spots on his body that appeared like an acne or mosquito bites. Eventually, he had to report his unbearable symptoms, and as a result, he was admitted to having scabies which is contagious, intensely itchy skin condition caused by a tiny, burrowing mite. He rejoined the service from the scabies hospital after 8 days of recovery.

The tragedy had begun in the season of sensitivity where yearning for home and beloved ones deepens. In France, on 20th of September, 1917, Albert received a critical shrapnel wound in his left leg in the battle of Menin road of the Third Battle of Ypres, the major offensive operation from Allies against the German Empire. Fortunately, he was transmitted to the No. 55 General Hospital, Boulogne, France by field ambulance, then transferred to train. Although he had a string of hope to survive and meet his family, it was impossible to halt the death which followed on the 1st of October in the hospital. His death date was officially reported on the following day by the Commanding Officer. His effects were forwarded, and his death was notified to his mother, who would’ve suffered in anguish for longing her lovely son. However, being approximately 17000 km away from his hometown, Albert was buried in Wimereux Cemetery in France.

Bibliography

Australian War Memorial. 6th Australian Infantry Battalion. [online] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51446 [Accessed 19 Sep. 2017].

Find a Grave (Nov 17, 2013). Albert Nicholas Lee. [online] Available at: https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=120453993  [Accessed 22 Sep. 2017].

First World War (Aug 22, 2009). Encyclopedia - Etaples. [online] Available at: http://www.firstworldwar.com/atoz/etaples.htm [Accessed 22 Sep. 2017].

Kent in WWI. Folkestone. [online] Available at: http://kentww1.com/folkestone/ [Accessed 22 Sep. 2017].

The long long trail. Battles of the Western Front in France and Flanders. [online] Available at: http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/battles/battles-of-the-western-front-in-france-and-flanders/  [Accessed 22 Sep. 2017].

Australian War Memorial. Third Battle of Ypres. [online] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/E39 [Accessed 22 Sep. 2017].

Returned Services League Australia (2000). The First World War. [online] Available at: http://rslnsw.org.au/commemoration/heritage/the-first-world-war [Accessed 22 Sep. 2017].

The National Archives of Australia. LEE Albert : Service Number - 6628 : Place of Birth - Craigie VIC : Place of Enlistment - Langwarrin VIC : Next of Kin - (Mother) LEE Mrs Nellie. (2004). [Paper files and documents] The National Archives of Australia, B2455. Canberra.