Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Albert Samuel Haslemore was an Australian soldier working on the Western Front during the First World War (1914-1918). Albert was born Gingin, Western Australia in 1895 to father, Samuel Joseph Haslemore and mother, Martha Mary Haslemore, one of six children.

Albert Samuel Haslemore, service number 8883, artillery gunner and driver from the Second Divisional Ammunition Column, joined the Australian Imperial Force on July 12th, 1915 aged 20 years and 2 months. Albert Samuel Haslemore was born in Gingin, Western Australia in 1895, one of six children of Samuel Joseph Haslemore and Martha Mary Haslemore. Albert Samuel Haslemore enlisted at Blackboy Hill, in Western Australia. At the date of his enlistment, Albert was a fitter, followed the Roman Catholic religion and was not married. Before joining the Australian Imperial Force, Albert served for 2 years in cadets, then a further 2 years in the Second Artillery Ammunition Column, of which he was still serving.
Albert embarked on the HMAT (His Majesty’s Australian Transport) Port Macquarie A39 in Melbourne on November 16, 1915, transported to France. In France, he was transferred to the 2nd Division Ammunition Column on the 13th of May 1916 and became a driver. Albert was invalided to England from France on the 14th of August 1918. On August 15th, 1918, after wounded in action on the 4th of August, driver Albert Samuel Haslemore was transferred to Kitchener Military Hospital, Brighton, England. Albert remained in hospital from August of 1918 to January of 1919. Albert received his last payment on the 16/04/1918 in France and 15 months later returned to Australia on the 16/01/1919. On April 12th, 1919, Albert was released from his obligation to serve (discharged). After being discharged from the Australian Imperial Force, Albert married to Ruby Haslemore. Albert Samuel Haslemore died in 1973 aged 78 in Perth, Western Australia.

The Second Divisional Ammunition Column used the light rail, which was laid from the storage place to the gunning line, as seen in the picture, the 54th Siege Artillery Battery. The light rail was laid right to the front line to facilitate the movement of ammunition shells. These trains, hauled by small steam locomotives or petrol tractors, greatly accelerated the supply of ammunition to artillery batteries. They were also significant in the transportation of troops, rations, water, coal, timber, wire and other supplies, and often returned with wounded men.

The weight of the calibre shells necessitated handling. Heavier shells were more easily loaded because of the use of inclined planes, meaning they could be rolled onto the wagon bed. During the 19th Century conventional warfare, artillery was a key component of military combat powers. Artillery, with its range and effect, dominated the Western Front on a scale rarely rivalled since. Maintaining the impact of ammunition on the battlefields depended on the logistics of ammunition supply. Because of the weight and volume of artillery ammunition, maintaining required rates was a supply chain issue that spanned anything from production to storage, distribution, and provision, as well as unexploded ordnance disposal and the recovery of re-usable pieces. Each division had an ammunition column that stored and transported ammunition from the third line (storage area) to the front line. This was a major undertaking that necessitated the use of motorised and horse-drawn vehicles as well as heavy and light rail and tramways. Opponents saw ammunition transport along the front lines as a high-value target, this is because ammunition could be taken by the opposing force. Due to the risky proposition of horse-drawn carriages, many ammunition drivers won bravery awards.

Albert Samuel Haslemore fought many battles on the Western Front during the First World War (1914-1918) ensuring that those working on the front line were supplied with ammunition.