Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Biography of Albert Charles Ernest Bauer 

Background

Albert Charles Ernst Bauer was born to Charles Louis Augustus Bauer and Minna Therese Fahlbusch.  He was born in Norwood, South Australia on the 2/4/1884. His height was 5 feet 4 inches and he weighed approximately 122 pounds. His religion was Church of England.  He was a widow.  His eyes and hair were brown.  His next of kin was his Uncle Gustav Fahlbusch on his mother’s side who also resided in Norwood.

During the war

Albert Bauer was enlisted in in the war on the 2/8/1915 in Adelaide where he was ranked a private. His regimental number was 2154.  He joined the army at age 31 years and 3 months. He was made a part of the 32nd battalion, 3rd reinforcement. Prior to his enlistment, he held a job as a printer.  His unit disembarked from Adelaide on board HMAT A28 Miltiades on the 7th February 1916. 

The 32nd battalion soldiers came from all walks of life, some with no previous combat fighting experience. In fact, the head of the battalion was Lieutenant Coghill who was previously the Woodville high school principal. The group were of British, Nordic, Russian and Aboriginal backgrounds.

During February and March of 1916, ordinary men trained to become soldiers. Charles trained at a camp in Tal-El-Kabir which was located in Egypt. During these months, he trained with his battalion. He also took part in church parades. The 32nd battalion had its first major battle in Fromelles in France only 3 days before reaching the front-line war. The attack was a disaster. The battalion suffered 718 deaths which was the majority of the fighting force.

Albert was wounded in action in France on the 19/7/16. 1 month later on the 21/8/16 he was sentenced to 28 days in prison “for disobeying lawful command”. 2 years later, on the 7/2/18 he went to the hospital because he was sick with bronchiolitis and trench fever.  

Some of those who survived were taken prisoner. Many of the soldiers who died in this battle were only recently found in a mass grave near Pheasant wood. They have now been placed in a Commonwealth cemetery in France. Due to the major losses at this battle in Fromelles the 32nd battalion did not play a big role for the rest of the war.

The 32nd battalion was awarded many medals and honours. 3 of the most famous battles they were involved in were the Hindenburg line, the polygon wood and France. A memorial has been placed to honour the 32nd battalion, it is placed in the town the 32nd battalion was raised, the city of Adelaide. Albert Ernest Charles Bauer was awarded a British War Medal and a Victory Medal. These medals were awarded the soldiers that went to the war and fought during this time period. Albert Bauer showed great courage with joining and fighting in the army with no previous army experience just as many of the other soldiers did. He must also have had a lot of courage to stand for his beliefs in order to disobey command and serve 28 days in jail.  

He finally returned to Australia on the 8th of May 1919.  He lived out his final 35 years in Adelaide and died at age 70 on the 10th July 1954.  Albert Charles Bauer is buried at the AIF cemetery (row 3 grave number 39) located at West Terrace Adelaide.