BACKLER, Albert Henry
| Service Number: | 261 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 July 1915, Keswick, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 32nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Kingston, South Australia, Australia, 12 September 1892 |
| Home Town: | Kingston South East, Kingston, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Kingston Public School, South Australia, Australia |
| Occupation: | Saddler |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 20 July 1916, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Adelaide Grand Masonic Lodge WW1 Honour Board (1), Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Kingston South East War Memorial, V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 15 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 261, Depot Battalion , Keswick, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Nov 1915: |
Embarked
AIF WW1, Private, 261, 32nd Infantry Battalion, embarkation_roll: roll_number: 17 embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Geelong embarkation_ship_number: A2 public_note: |
|
| 17 Jun 1916: | Embarked 261, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Embarked Alexandria for B.E.F per H.M.T. "Transylvania" | |
| 23 Jun 1916: | Embarked 261, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Disembarked Marseilles, France | |
| 19 Jul 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 261, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix), Wound in Action during the initial phase of the operation. | |
| 20 Jul 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 261, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix), Killed In Action |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by St Francis de Sales College
Albert's parents later received another letter confirming that their son had been killed in action. Albert's father Henry responded to that letter asking for further information on his son’s death but was told there was none at this point in time. Henry tried once again to get further information but was told that there was no further information on his son’s death including no known location of his son's remains.
Source: NAA Service Record
Biography contributed by VWM Australia
Like many accounts from this battle, the following statement unfortunately did not seem to be the case and the body of Lance Corporal Albert Henry Backler was never found.
Statement on file, 117 Pte I.J. ISAAC, 31 January 1917: 'I saw him wounded in the charge at Fromelles on July 19th. He was taken away the next morning. Sgt. Robinson, S/B. A. Coy, helped to carry him. I am certain he got away safely.' Note on Red Cross File No 410201: 'No trace Germany. Cert. by Capt. Mills 10-10-19.'
Biography
"...261 Private Albert Henry Backler, 32nd Battalion. A saddler from Kingston, South Australia, prior to enlistment, he embarked with C Company from Adelaide on 18 November 1915 aboard HMAT Geelong (A2) for Suez. The battalion relocated to the Western Front, France, during June 1916 and Pte Backler was appointed Lance Corporal (L Cpl) on arrival. L Cpl Backler was reported missing in action at the Battle of Fromelles on 20 July 1916 and was subsequently determined to have been killed in action on that date. He has no known grave and he is commemorated on the VC Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France. He was aged 23 years." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)
Embarked Adelaide, 18 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 18 December 1915.
Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916.
Reported missing, 20 July 1916.
Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 12 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in action, 20 July 1916'.
Statement on file, 117 Pte I.J. ISAAC, 31 January 1917: 'I saw him wounded in the charge at Fromelles on July 19th. He was taken away next morning. Sgt. robinson, S/B. A. Coy, helped to carry him. I am certain he got away safely.'
Note on Red Cross File No 410201: 'No trace Germany. Cert. by Capt. Mills 10-10-19.'
Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
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