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War Memorial
Australia

Albert was born in Wistow, Mt Barker in 1894, one of seven children. He was the youngest son of George Sauders and Margaret Slocombe (nee Slaven) who had married by licence in April 1885. George was the youngest son of William Slocombe, who had emigrated from Devonshire. He worked as a carpenter and was a valued member of the Star of the South, Lodge of Druids based in Mount Barker.
The children attended the local Wistow School, with their parents actively supporting fundraising concerts.
Albert was still a baby in February 1895 when his 36-year-old father tragically died in an horrific fall after losing his grip on a ladder as he was examining a leaking air pipe joint in a mine shaft at Clarendon. George initially fell onto a platform 15 feet down, before then continuing to fall 100 feet to the bottom of the shaft. The family was devastated.
Highly respected, George’s cortege consisted of 63 members of the Mount Barker Star of the South Lodge of Druids, marched in procession from the house to the grave, and the coffin was followed by 27 vehicles and a long array of horsemen. The local community immediately established a subscription list to support the widow and six children.
Just eight years after their father’s death, tragedy again struck when the family lost their 43-year-old mother, Margaret (then Caughlin) who died in the Adelaide Hospital in July 1903. Olive, the oldest daughter took on the mantel of next of kin for the orphaned children.
Albert proved to be a capable sportsman, playing cricket for Balmain where in 1910 was singled out as having the potential to develop into a very fine batsman. However, the War to End All Wars was declared with three of the Slocombe brothers enlisting. The first was 30-year-old Robert James in September ’14 as 1329 in the 16th Battalion.
Robert had been working at Broken Hill but travelled by train to enlist as 1329 in the 16th Infantry Battalion. He nominated his sister Olive as his next of kin.
20-year-old Albert, who was working as a locomotive Fireman. was the next brother to enlist on the 8th March ’15 as 1570 in the 27th Battalion. (Confusingly, Albert signed a form on the 9th March ’15 indicating that ‘my parents are alive’) Less than two months afterwards, Robert, a Lance Corporal was killed in action on the Gallipoli Peninsula on the 2nd May 1915 at Gallipoli. In the frenetic fighting Robert was initially listed as ‘missing’ and his grave never found. He had arrived at the Gallipoli Peninsula on the 12th April. In under three weeks, he was killed in action on the 2nd May 1915 at Dead Man’s Ridge, Gallipoli. His body was never recovered. He is now remembered at the Lone Pine Memorial.
22-year-old William George was the third brother to enlist four months after Albert, in July ’15 as 2791, serving in the 10th Infantry Battalion. Initially he nominated a Pirie friend, Joseph Willoughby as his next of kin. (Joseph’s sister, Mary Ann was later to feature in William’s life.) William later changed his details to his older sister, S Young of Welland. William was wounded in action in France in 1916 and in 1917 was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s dispatch for gallant service and devotion to duty. He was also awarded the Frech Croix de Guerre and was safely discharged in May ’19.
The close-knit family was devastated to learn of Robert’s death, placing a tribute to him in the Advertiser, Tuesday 23 May 1916, SLOCOMBE.-On the 2nd May. 1915, at Gallipoli, Lance-Corporal Robert J. Slocombe, late of Broken Hill, aged 30 years; killed in action; previously reported missing. Dearly loved brother of Mrs. S H. Young, Welland; Mrs. Leslie Green, England; Julia Cockburn; Sylvester, India; and Privates William and Albert (A.I.F., France). "His body lies in foreign soil, His soul is home with God."
Advertiser Wednesday 2 May 1917, SLOCOMBE.—Honoured and loved ever will be the memory of our dear brother, Robert J. Slocombe, late 16th Battalion, who gave his life for us at Gallipoli, May 2, 1915 (late of Broken Hill). Peacefully sleeping, Where tears are never shed, Where no good-byes are said, Where grief and pain and care are felt no more. —Inserted by his sisters and brothers (on active service).

Albert’s war was also challenging. His record showed several instances of being absent without leave and the inevitable loss of pay. Whilst in France, he also had several bouts of illness, including pleurisy, tonsilitis and scabies causing him to be hospitalised. Despite his transgressions, he was appointed Lance Corporal and almost immediately, Corporal. Albert was wounded in action in his thigh and buttocks in August ’16 and again in July ’18 with a gunshot wound to his left temple but remained on duty. He moved between the Front in France and then to England for treatment.
With his own Sergeant wounded, Albert was promoted to this rank, where his actions and bravery were recognised, being awarded the Military Medal in June 1919 ‘For Bravery in the Field’. At the time, all his Company officers had been killed or wounded near Peronne, France.
“During the operations of 2nd Sept 1918 East of Mt St Quentin near Perrone this soldier made two runs from an isolated post back to Bn H.Q. over open ground, under intense machine gun fire and sniping, thus enabling a defensive flank to be thrown in, and our advance position to be maintained. This was a dangerous feat – the post was in the air, and nearly surrounded by the enemy and only a very brave man would have attempted it.’ Signed by C. Rosenthal, Major general Commanding 2nd Australian Division His citation reads;
'During the attack on September 2nd 1918 on ALLAINES and the high ground East of MONT ST. QUENTIN, near PERONNE, this N.C.O., after all his Company Officers had become casualties, pushed on with five men in the face of very heavy enemy machine gun fire to HEPA ALLEY, which he entered in spite of strong enemy resistance. He established a post and hung on to his position for five hours against heavy odds until supports arrived. His splendid leadership and utter disregard for personal safety set a splendid example to his men.'
Albert safely returned to Australia on the troopship Trasos Montes in May 1919. In July that year, a hearty welcome from the residents of Mount Barker, joyously celebrated the return of him and seven other soldiers. Two years later, he proudly acted as best man for his Peterborough cousin Frederick James Slavery at his wedding to Ivy Errington in September, ‘21.
As a returned soldier, Albert lived in Glossop where he became a horticulturist and was also an active member of the Berri Sub Branch of the RSL plus the Glossop R.A.O.B. There he was awarded a high, but rarely bestowed honour, being elevated to the third degree of Prims, a reward in recognition of their untiring activities in the cause of philanthropy, brotherly good-fellow-ship and assistance to brethren and their dependents in sickness or distress.
Australians looked forward to the Olympic Games in ’24. The Riverland was proudly being represented in rowing by the Murray Bridge eight, called the ‘Cods’. A huge fundraising campaign was undertaken to have first class passage over and the best accommodation and training facilities at Toulon and time in Paris for the crew. Albert coordinated a collection on behalf of the Glossop Settler’s Club to support the rowers.
In a cruel blow, and having sustained the privations and injuries of War, 48-year-old Albert was killed when his horse-drawn sulky and a truck collided. He sustained a fatal skull fracture as he was thrown from his sulky, two miles out from Barmera on the road to Berri. An inquest later found this to be an accident. His death was on the 22nd August ‘44
Advertiser Saturday 2 September 1944, SLOCOMBE.—On 22nd August, at Barmera Sgt. Albert Clarence Slocombe, M.M., 27th Btn. Ist A.I.F. youngest son of the late George and Margaret Slocombe. Mt. Barker.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 14 September 1944, SLOCOMBE-The sisters and brothers of the late Albert Clarence Slocombe, MM, late 27th Battalion 1st AIF, of Glossop, wish to THANK all relatives and friends for telegrams, letters, floral tributes and personal expressions of sympathy in their recent sad bereavement.
Albert now rests in the Barmera Cemetery G.O.M. Section E. Plot 2 RA and is also remembered in the Upper Murray Garden of Memory.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.