Albert Noel Bessey

A Private with the 4th Battalion, Albert died on 21st of April 1917 at the age of 31. 

Albert was born at Oulton in 1885, a son of Charles and Amelia Bessey. In 1891 his family lived next to the Devonshire Arms, at Oulton Road, Lowestoft, and this was still their address in 1901. By 1911 Albert’s father had died and they had moved to 41 Princes Road, Lowestoft, and Albert was a market gardener.

Albert was working as a foreman gardener when he attested for the Army at Lowestoft on 10 December 1915. He was called up on 6 March 1916 and joined the Middlesex Regiment, service number 40191. He was posted to the 4/7th Battalion. Albert arrived in France on 13 August 1916. On 11 September he was posted to the 1/7th Battalion and, on 13 September, to the 4th Battalion.

On 9 April 1917 the 4th Battalion were in positions near Arras and were to support 111th Brigade in their attack. Early on 10 April they sent out patrols along the Scarpe Valley and at 2 a.m. moved off toward a sunken road. At 11 a.m. they advanced to Lone Copse Valley and faced a heavy artillery and machine-gun barrage as they crossed Orange Hill. The fire was so intense that by 3.30 p.m. only half a company had reached Lone Copse Valley. In the evening the Middlesex men had to hold and consolidate the left flank of Lone Copse Valley, but it was not until 8.30 p.m. that the remainder of the battalion was able to reinforce them.  

During 10 April Albert received shrapnel wounds to his head and left arm and he was admitted to 49 Field Ambulance. Later he was transferred to 22 General Hospital where he died of wounds on 21 April.

His personal effects, an identity disc, photos, pipe, a pocket book, badge, scissors, gold ring, two letter cases, and a cloth badge, were sent to his mother.