Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Albert Bache was born in 1895, Broken Hill, New South Wales. His service number was 5340, he was part of the 4th Military District and became a private in the 10th Infantry Battalion, 17th Reinforcement. Albert was enlisted into ‘B’ Company and was also part of the Machine Gun Corps.

Born to Mr. Arthur Bache and Mrs. Herermine Bache, Albert was their only child and grew up a member of the Church of England. In 1896, a year after Albert was born, his father passed away and Albert was raised by his mother. Later, Albert and his mother moved from their hometown in N.S.W to Port Victoria, South Australia for a new life. Albert grew up and become a farmer. He was 20 and single prior to joining the Australian Imperial Force.

Albert enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on the 9th of February, 1916 in Adelaide. He was allocated to ‘B’ Company in the 2nd depot and sent to the Mitcham Army Camp. He trained there until his embarkation. On the 11th of April, 1916 he embarked on the ship ‘HMAT A60 Aeneas’ to the Suez Canal. On the 14th of May, while on the ship to Egypt, Albert contracted a mild case of measles. He was sent to a government hospital in Cairo to receive medical attention. On the17th of May Albert was sent to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital in England because he contracted a mild case of laryngitis. He returned to Egypt and went to Tel El Kebir on the 1st of June to continue training with his reinforcement. Albert embarked overseas on the 6th of June with the 13th Training Battalion from Alexandria in Egypt to England.

On the 19th of September, Albert joined the 10th Battalion in France. During battle on the 13th of December, he received a shrapnel wound to his face, hand and a severe wound to his left thigh. He boarded ‘H.S Warilda’ from Havre, France to England where he was admitted to the University War Hospital on the 23rd of December until the 2nd of April, 1917. He proceeded overseas to Havre, France where he rejoined the 10th Battalion on 15th June 1917. He was lucky enough to enjoy a brief period of leave in Britainin February and March of 1918. 

It was on the 30th July 1918, at Merris in northern France, that Albert Bache performed the acts which won him the Military Medal. To quote from the recommendation: "In the attack on MERRIS on morning of 30th, July, 1918, Pte. BACHE was No.2 on a Lewis Gun in a forward post. When a party of about 30 of the enemy attacked his post his gun was put out of action and he and L/Cpl. MELVILLE (/explore/people/306549)crawled up a ditch toward the enemy and attacked them suddenly with bombs. Nine were killed and the remainder (1 Officer and 20 other ranks with 2 machine guns) suurendered. Throughout the operation this man behaved with the greatest gallantry and showed at all times a supreme contempt of his personal safety."

On the 9th of August, he was sent to fight in the Battle of Amiens with his unit. In this battle, Albert was wounded on the 11th of August. He was admitted to a general hospital on the 13th of August, due to a shrapnel wound to his forehead and eyes. On the 7th of October after a two month recovery, he re-joined his unit in France. Albert was approved leave to the U.K for a month on the 13th of January, 1919. During this time, the London Gazette awarded him the Military Medal for bravery on the 24th of January. A month later while in France, Albert was admitted to the 14th general hospital for mild influenza. Albert’s influenza became increasingly severe and two days later he was relocated to King George Hospital in England. Albert was transferred to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital to recover from the 5th of March until the 20th of March. After a full recovery, he boarded the ‘H.T Armagh’ on the 5th of April to Australia. On the 16th of May, he disembarked the passenger ship and was discharged for the cessation of hostilities on the 30th of June, 1919.

After 3 years and 142 days of serving his country, he earned the Victory Medal, Military Medal and British War Medal. Albert reflected the ANZAC spirit by receiving the Military Medal because this medal is awarded to those who show significant courage and bravery on the field. Albert showed many ANZAC values during this event, such as comradery, determination, sacrifice and selflessness. After returning from the war, he moved to Pine Point, South Australia for a fresh start. The 2nd of March, 1921 signified the day he and Matilda Zilm were happily declared husband and wife in the Kulpara Methodist church. The birth of his first child, Roy Arthur was celebrated on the 2nd of December, 1921. Two years later, Albert and Matilda welcomed their daughter Joyce Esme on December 17th, 1923. Matilda gave birth to their second son, Herbert Ian on the 27th of April, 1925. After 48 years of marriage, Matilda passed away in 1969. Three years later Albert joined his wife on the 3rd day of September, 1972 at 77 years old.