Albert James Rackham

A Lance Sergeant with 7th Bn., Albert  died on 13th of October 1915 at the age of 28. 

Albert was born at Beccles in 1887, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Rackham. In 1891 his family lived at Denmark Road, Beccles. In 1901 their address was 3 Percy Terrace, Denmark Road, Beccles. By 1911 Albert was lodging at 1 Leiston Road, Lowestoft, and he worked as a manufacturer of ‘wearing apparel’. 

Albert volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment and was posted to the 7th Battalion. He arrived in France with the 7th battalion on 30 May 1915. He was already an Acting Corporal when he arrived in France and was subsequently promoted to Lance Sergeant. 

The War Diary for the 7th Battalion has:

12 October. 5.45 p.m. Parade to take over trenches from 1st Guards Brigade near Hohenzollern Redoubt.

13 October. 12 noon. Intense bombardment of German lines by our artillery.
2 p.m. Attack commences in accordance with Battalion order.
B Company under cover of smoke attacked German trenches . .advancing over fire trench. Owing to smoke lifting and very heavy machine-gun fire . . this attack did not reach its objective but was instrumental in keeping out bomb attacks on (our) sap.
Major Currey, 2nd Lieutenants Hartopp and Lee were killed. Lieutenant Daveron wounded and about 70 other ranks killed and wounded. 
At the same time A Company supported the Norfolk bombers in attack a sap. Great opposition was encountered at first and many casualties occurred. The party eventually rushed the German barrier and proceeded to bomb a trench.
The machine-guns were ordered to follow this party and support advance with fire. 
Captain Cobbold was killed whilst leading the party of Suffolk bombers and 2nd Lieutenant Smith severely wounded.
As the Suffolk bombers had become expended when the point G.5.d.10.3 was reached and the attack checked in consequence. O.C. A Company was ordered to consolidate his position on the line gained. 
At the same time D Company supported the Norfolk bombers in attacking a sap. This attack was temporarily held up by German bombers at their barrier which was eventually rushed by D Company.
Captain Henty was wounded and Captain Sorley and Lieutenant Wood killed whilst leading the attack. 
Lieutenant Deighton then took command and by bombing down the trench drove the enemy back . . when this point was reached it was reported that the bombs had been used up. D was ordered to consolidate this position.
As soon as points G.5.d.10.3 and G.6.c.2.1 were reached there were pushed forward 3 Suffolk and 1 Northamptonshire machine-guns with the object of establishing a strong point at G.5.d.9.1 and commanding the approach from the enemy’s trenches which had been closed by us with double stops. This arrangement proved quite satisfactory as by it the German bombers were easily kept at a distance by rifle and machine-gun fire. 
Casualties: eight officers killed and three wounded. 150 Other Ranks killed and wounded.    

Albert’s brother, Herbert John Rackham, served in The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) and died in 1918 from influenza and pneumonia.