The Battle of the Somme

Today is the 100th Anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme. Lasting over four months and claiming thousands of lives, it was the largest conflict on the Western Front during World War One. Like many other organisations the bloody battle affected the Manchester and Salford Boys’ and Girls’ Refuges and Homes. There were a reported 19,240 British men killed on the first day alone. Albert was one of those men. In memory of all those who died during the battle, we tell his story. 

Albert was born in Chancery Lane, Ardwick in 1880. He was admitted to the charity homes, aged 9, in 1890 alongside two of his siblings. In November 1888 their father, a bricklayer, had passed away. Heartbreakingly their Mother also died 8 months later. The family circumstances are unknown but in the 1881 census, the family were living in Ardwick, along with a servant, so it must be assumed that the family were not destitute. 

On admittance Albert and his brother entered No. 4 George Street, (Garnett Home). His sister went to Rosen Hallas, prior to emigration to Canada at her own request. Albert stayed in the orphan home for four years, attending local boarding school until he turned 14. Having reached working age he was then sent in 1894 to a situation, working for a Doctor Howarth in New Mills. This job lasted for a round a year before he was returned to the charity homes. Remaining here for a few months he then moved out to Bury in 1896, to work for Driffield Brothers, a drapers company. 

Our poppy display, 2014

From here we lose touch of Albert. We do know however, that he continued in the profession he was introduced to in the Refuge. By 1911 he had moved to Blackpool and was boarding with a family whilst continuing to work at a Draper’s. Still single it is unknown whether he had married by the time War broke out in 1914. It is likely he moved back to the Manchester area however, as he enlisted as part of the 19th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, also known as the 4th City Pals Battalion. The battalion itself had been formed on the 22 August 1915 as part of a number of regiments created and filled with office workers. The city pals were recruited from Manchester’s warehouses and commercial districts and men joined up alongside their co-workers. 

On the 1st July 1916 the 19th battalion were involved in a battle at Danzig Alley, which was recognised as the first day of the Battle of the Somme. It was here that Albert lost his life, aged 36. He is remembered at Thiepval Memorial, in France and now he is remembered here.