Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born: 9 November 1898 in Pewsey Vale, near Lyndoch, South Australia
(SA Birth record 1842 - 1906 Book: 631 Page: 34 District: Cra.)

Father Joseph HURST. Mother: Elizabeth (nee FRANKCOM)
living at Pewsey Vale, Lyndoch, South Australia.

With written permission from both parents he enlisted in the AIF (signed on 27/6/1917).

Described on enlisting as 18 years 4 months old; 5' 8 1/4" tall; 127 lbs;
fresh complexion; hazel eyes; brown hair; Church of England.

***AWM do not have an 'Embarkation form' for Albert, although his Attestation
      papers hold details of his enlistment and embarkation.***

25/4/1917       Enlisted in Adelaide, South Australia
                      in B Company, Mitcham Camp

1/5-19/6/1917 with C Company, Mitcham Camp

12/7/1917       Commanding Officer appointed Albert to 10th reinforcements
                      48th Infantry Battalion, Mitcham Camp

16/7/1917       Embarked Sydney on board HMAT A16 Pt Melbourne,
                      as a Private with 43rd Infantry Battalion

The battalion were in Britain for further training.

15/9/1917       disembarked into Liverpool, England
17/9/1917       marched in to Codford

22/9/1917       sick - mumps, admitted to Casualty Clearing Station
7/10/1917       marched out to unit

Joined 12th Training Battalion in Codford.

18/12/1917      Private proceeded overseas to France, ex Southampton,
                       to reinforce 43rd Infantry Battalion

19/12/1917      marched in to AIF Base Depot, Havre, France

24/12/1917      taken on strength into 43rd Battalion in the field

The battalion arrived on the Western Front in late December.

The battalion spent much of 1918 fighting in the Somme valley.

In April 1918 they helped stop the German Spring offensive at Villers-Bretonneux.

18/5/1918        sick with influenza, admitted to hospital
20/5/1918        admitted with 'trench fever' to 7th Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, France

6/6/1918          admitted to Base, Etaples, France

13/6/1918         rejoined 43rd Battalion, in the field

In July the battalion was part of General Monash's attack at Hamel.

In August the battalion helped drive the Germans back to the Hindenburg Line.

12/8/1918         gun shot wound to nose, France
                        admitted to 53rd Field Ambulance
13/8/1918         transferred to 21st Australian Hospital

29/10/1918       to Base Depot, France

3/11/1918         rejoined 43rd Battalion

The 43rd joined the advance that followed the 2nd Division's victory at Mont St Quentin.

3-17/12/1918     On leave in UK

19/12/1918        rejoined unit

4/2/1919            Appointed Driver, 43rd Battalion

3/5/1919            marched into Base, for return to Australia
3/5/1919            reverted to Private on return to Australia

14/5/1919          sick with Measles - admitted to No.4 General Hospital, Codford, England

7/6/1919            discharged to Training Depot, Sutton Veny

4/7/1919            Embarked on board Wiltshire, ex England for return to Australia
16/8/1919           disembarked into Adelaide

17/9/1919           discharged from service in AIF

Medals:
British War medal (20849) and Victory medal (20351)

Married:      Ethel Ruth Hurst   (b. 1901 - d. 28/7/1959 - 58yrs)

Children:     Margaret, Joan and Eric              

1968 was living at Tattachilla Road, McLaren Vale, South Australia.

26/8/1991   Albert passed away (82 years old)
buried in:    McLaren Vale (Congregational) Cemetery
                  8 Tatachilla Road, McLaren Vale, South Australia
                  (buried with his wife Ethel)
Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.   20/4/2015.  Lest we forget.