Albert Edward Barnard

A Private with 717th Mechanical Transport Company. Albert died on 30th of September 1917 at the age of 40. 

Albert was born at Lowestoft on 19 October 1876, a son of Arthur and Lucy Barnard. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 3 December 1876. In 1881 his family lived at 10 Summer Road and by 1891 they were living at 21 Saint John’s Road and Albert was a refreshment room assistant. 

In 1901 Albert worked as a groom at The Stables, The Severals, Newmarket. 

On 17 March 1917 Albert married Florence Agnes Mason, at Holy Trinity Church, Chelsea, London. Albert was a soldier lodging at 1 Hays Mews, and Florence was living at 16 Cadogan Place. By 1921 Florence was living with her parents at 72 Oak Street, Wolverhampton.  

Albert enlisted in the Army at London. He joined the Army Service Corps, service number M2/175281, and served in France with the 717th Mechanical Transport Company. 

In September 1917 717 MT Company were based at Locre and provided support artillery units in the area. On 30 September German aircraft dropped bombs on the lorry park at Locre killing twelve men, including Albert, and wounding 17. 

Albert’s brother-in-law Frederick died in 1917 while serving with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.