Albert Henry Coleby

A Private with 7th Bn., Albert Henry died on 13th of August 1915 at the age of 20.

Albert was born at Blundeston in 1895, a son of Albert James and Hannah Coleby. Albert was baptised at Saint Mary's Church, Blundeston, on 18 November 1895. In 1901 his family lived at The Red Lion, The Street, Blundeston, where is father was both publican and a shoemaker. In 1911 they still lived at The Red Lion and Albert worked as a butcher.  

Albert was working as a gardener when, on 18 August 1914, he volunteered to join the Army. He joined, at Norwich, on 19 August, for 'General Service' with the Norfolk Regiment and was soon posted to the newly formed 7th Battalion. Albert arrived in France with the 7th Battalion on 30 May 1915 and he served with C Company. 

On 10 August 1915 the 7th Battalion occupied trenches at Ploegsteert, Belgium, including Hampshire Trench and Hunter's Trench. During the next few days they were subject to sporadic sniper fire and occasional shelling from enemy artillery. 

The battalion war diary does not mention any casualties, but at some point Albert received a shrapnel wound to his head and was taken to 38th Field Ambulance where he died of his wounds on 13 August 1915. 

Albert was buried at the nearby civil cemetery at Pont-de-Nieppe with Reverend A. T. Morgan, Chaplain to the Forces, officiating. 

From 1917 his parents lived at the Telephone Exchange, Blundeston.