Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Private Herbert Charles David Almond, born on 16 September 1897 in Adelaide, South Australia, enlisted in World War One on the 1st of March 1916 at Keswick. At the time he enlisted, he was single, living with his mum, and only 18 years old. Previous to joining the AIF he was a coachbuilder

Before the war, he had trained an unknown amount of time in the 79th Infantry Battalion and trained consistently at Mitcham Camp. When the war started, he was assigned to the 5th Reinforcement of the 50th Infantry Battalion and embarked from Adelaide to England on the 21st of September 1916 aboard the HMAT A73 Commonwealth. He proceeded overseas to France 12th December 1916 and was taken on strength with the 50th Battalion 24th December 1916. During 1917 Almond was ill and hospitalised in February and sent to England to recover. He was then diagnosed with an infraction and sent a few weeks in hospital. He proceeded overseas again in August 1917 to France to the 4th Australian Divisional Base Dept and rejoined the 50th battalion the following month. He remained with the 50th Battalion until he took leave in September 1918.

He saw action at Polygon Wood which occurred on 26 September 1917. This battle took place on Belgian soil and consisted of the British and ANZAC forces trying to capture German defensive positions in the Ypres sector. During this battle, Herbert was not wounded, but he fought under intense shellfire and heavy resistance.

The Battle of Dernancourt was one of the largest German attacks faced by Australian troops during WWI. On 5 April 1918, Herbert Almond and the 50th Battalion were defending the railway embankments near the village of Dernancourt in France. The Germans launched a big attack, using lots of infantry and artillery to try and break through. Even due to the intense pressure, the Australians held their ground. Almond wasn’t injured in this battle, but conditions would have been tough. The success of this battle stopped the Germans from pushing toward Amiens.

Not long after Dernancourt, Almond was called into action again during the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux. On 24 April 1918, the Germans captured the town of Villers-Bretonneux using infantry and tanks. That night, the Australians launched a surprise counter-attack. Almond’s 50th Battalion was part of the southern flank that moved quietly in the dark, with no artillery, and claimed the town by the morning. It was a big win and stopped the Germans from reaching Amiens. Almond was not injured in this battle, and he remained with his unit afterward. The conditions would’ve been tense, with close-range trench fighting and the risk of German counter-attacks.

 A few months later, Almond and his battalion took part in the Battle of Amiens, a major turning point in the war. The Battle of Amiens was a major turning point in the war. Almond and the 50th Battalion were part of a big Allied push that included tanks, aircraft, and infantry. The attack began on 8 August 1918 and was so successful that the Germans called it “the black day of the German army.” Australian troops helped push the front line forward by over 10 kilometres. Almond was still actively serving and took part in this battle, though there are no records of him being injured during this time. The pace of the attack was fast, and German troops were captured in large numbers.

After the war ended Almond remained in England until he was repatriated home disembarking at Port Adelaide 30th July 1919. After the war, he married Caroline Jean Almond and returned to work in trades like motor body building and storeman Years later, even though he was older, Almond still wanted to serve his country and at the age of 43 years and 8 months, he volunteered for World War II. He passed away on 21 April 1984 and is commemorated at Centennial Park Cemetery.