Albert Taylor (Bert) SHAPLEY

Badge Number: 395, Sub Branch: Upper Torrens Valley
395

SHAPLEY, Albert Taylor

Service Numbers: 21133, 211133
Enlisted: 2 November 1917, Adelaide, South Australia
Last Rank: Lance Corporal
Last Unit: Headquarters Australian Imperial Force (AIF)
Born: Yanalilla, South Australia, 29 May 1892
Home Town: North Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Draughtsman
Died: Natural causes, South Australia, 18 March 1949, aged 56 years
Cemetery: Dudley Park Cemetery, South Australia
Path 14; Grave 164 South.
Memorials: Jamestown Methodist Church WW1 Roll of Honor, Keswick Prospect Highbury Street Methodist Sunday School Roll of Honour, Keswick Prospect Methodist Sunday School Honour Board WW1, Port Pirie Fathers of Sailors and Soldiers Association Port Pirie District Roll of Honor WW1, Prospect Methodist Sunday School Honour Roll, Woodville Uniting Church Honour Board
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World War 1 Service

2 Nov 1917: Enlisted AIF WW1, Adelaide, South Australia
28 Feb 1918: Involvement AIF WW1, Sapper, 21133, 1st to 5th Divisional Signal Companies, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Nestor embarkation_ship_number: A71 public_note: ''
28 Feb 1918: Embarked AIF WW1, Sapper, 21133, 1st to 5th Divisional Signal Companies, HMAT Nestor, Melbourne
11 Nov 1918: Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 21133, 1st Divisional Signal Company
11 Apr 1919: Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 211133, Headquarters Australian Imperial Force (AIF)
20 Feb 1920: Discharged AIF WW1

Help us honour Albert Taylor Shapley's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography

Born 29 May 1892 in Yankalilla, South Australia
(SA Birth Record 1842 - 1906 Book: 502 Page: 85 District: Yan.)

Father William Thomas SHAPLEY and Mother Alice (nee TAYLOR), Bert was the second son.

His father Rev William Thomas Shapley was a Bible Christian Minister, and as such, moved around the colony as his church directed. Initially at Wirrabara, subsequent postings saw a young Albert living at Yankalilla, Broken Hill, Bowden, Port Adelaide, and Balaklava. Schooling was begun at the Port Adelaide State School, and continued at Prince Alfred College.

When the family moved to Queensland in 1905 it had grown to include 7 boys.

After a year in Townsville the family moved down to Brisbane and the Fortitude Valley Methodist Church.

The family returned to South Australia in 1911.

On enlisting his family lived at Jamestown in South Australia, Albert was living at
c/o Mrs Batten, Barton Terrace, North Adelaide.

Next of kin in service:
Older brother
    George W T Shapley
    became an Honorary Captain, YMCA Representative
    returned to Australia
    16/8/1965  passed away in North Adelaide, SA
    cremated in Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena SA

Younger brother
    Harry Gilbert Shapley
    7968 Private in 13th Field Ambulance
    17/11/1916  Killed in action (21 years)
    buried in: Quarry Cemetery, Montauban, France

Albert had previously served 1 year 20 days with the AIF Home Service.

Described on enlisting as 25 years 4 months old; single; 5' 6 1/2" tall; 115 lbs;
medium complexion; hazel eyes; dark brown hair; Methodist.

2/11/1917     Enlisted in Adelaide, South Australia
                    as a Private in B Company, based at the Mitcham Camp

7/11/1917     Sapper in A Base, Signalling Reinforcements

7/11/1917     transferred to Signal School AIF, Seymout

19/2/1918     Commanding Officer appointed Albert to Nov. Reinforcements, Divisional
                    Signal Company, Broadmeadows Camp

28/2/1918     Embarked from Port Melbourne, on board HMAT A71 Nestor
                    as a Sapper with Divisional Signal Company
20/4/1918     disembarked into Liverpool, England

11/5/1918     marched in to Brigglewade Singal Depot, for course Instructor, ex Clifton

11/11/1918   promoted to Lance Corporal, D Company Signallers

11/4/1919     detached for duty with AIF Headquarters from Signal details
                    ex England Training Depot Clifton

28/7 - 28/10/1919   granted leave with pay
                              he attended Pitmans Schools, Southampton, London

5/12/1919      Embarked on board Lucie Woermann for Australia
20/1/1920      disembarked into Australia

20/2/1920     discharged from service in AIF

Medal:  British War medal (22193)

Married Margaret nee ____  (d. 20/6/1982 - 85 years)

Albert's name is commemorated on the Woodville Uniting Church brass honour board.

19/3/1949    Albert passed away  (aged 56 years)
buried in:     Dudley Park Cemetery
                   Exeter Terrace, Dudley Park, SA
                   Path 14; Grave 164 South

Thank you to great nephew Peter D Wenham for family photos and John Skirca (Dudley Park Cemetery)
for his information.

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  29/4/2015.  Lest we forget.

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