No.23332, Corporal, Albert Edward SAYER
Aged 23
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Albert E Sayer was born in Hawstead (Thingoe Q3-1895 4A:786), baptised on 6th October 1895 in All Saints, Hawstead, son of Nathan and Priscilla Agnes
SAYER (née BELSHAM).
1901 census...Aged 5, he was at West Farm Cottages, Barnham with his father Nathan SAYER [38] horsekeeper born Ingham; his mother Priscilla [37] born Barnham; brothers Walter [13] farm boy and William Robert [11] both born in Barnham; sisters Annie L [8] born Hawstead and Edith May [1] born Barnham. 1911 census...Aged 15, farm labourer, he was "near Nunnery", Snarehill, Thetford with his parents (father now recorded as born Seven Hills, nr Bury St Edmunds) brother Walter (farm labourer) and sister Edith. His elder brother Walter died in France in 1916. Both brothers served in the Norfolk Regiment. see here |
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He enlisted in Piccadilly, Middlesex. From the war diary:- " Favreuil Area - 1-9-18- Battalion reorganised and rested. 8 pm Battalion moved to assembly position south of railway between FREMICOURT and BEUGNY prior to attack on BEUGNY VILLAGE and objective east of village. Shelling slight, casualties nil. 2-9-18 - 5:15 am Battalion attacked, Objective gained, casualties slight. Shelling increased. Lt Burry wounded. 1 pm Enemy dribbled back and penetrated line between the battalion and the New Zealanders on the right thereby forcing our two forward companies to withdraw slightly.Shelling and machine gun fire very intense, casualties heavy. 2 Lt JG Molloy killed. 9 pm New line established with the assistance of two companies of the Bedfords and held throughout the night." CWGC record 30 killed.
Albert found here and re-buried in Achiet in 1920. His original grave had been marked with a cross,
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
