Pte 22728 Albert Edward Howell

• Age: 19
• From: Edge Hill, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 26th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.L.16

Gailly was the site of the 39th and 13th Casualty Clearing Stations during the early part of 1917, and of the 41st Stationary Hospital from May 1917 to March 1918. The villages were then captured by the Germans, but were retaken by the Australian Corps in August 1918. Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery (originally called the New French Military Cemetery) was begun in February 1917 and used by medical units until March 1918. After the recapture of the village it was used by Australian units. The cemetery was increased after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields of the Somme.

It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron. It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July, 1916. It contained the graves of 887 French soldiers, 260 from the United Kingdom and six German. 

The cemetery now contains 745 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 114 of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate five casualties buried at Maricourt and Ste. Helene whose graves could not be found. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Albert's headstone bears the following epitaph:

"PEACE PERFECT PEACE. MOTHER"

Liverpool Echo dated 12th February 1917 

-  Roll of Honour – HOWELL – In loving 20^th Birthday remembrance of Albert Edward Howell (KLR) killed in action June 27 1916, buried at Maricourt (Sadly missed by Mother, Jack and Fred – 14 Enid Street, Toxteth  (His duty done)

Albert is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 55 Left

Central Hall Methodist Mission, Liverpool

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his mother Maria Elizabeth.

Albert's older brother, John Benson Howell, enlisted on 4^th August 1914 in the 2^nd Lancashire Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner 312. He gave his age as 21 years 11 months, his occupation as unemployed grocer and his address as 14 Enid Street. Just 1 week later he was discharged as medically unfit. He subsequently had some problems proving his medical discharge when his Medal Card was being prepared. In a letter to the Records Office RGA on 5^th December 1919, he reported that he had been discharged as medically unfit from “West Lancashire Heavy Brigade” RGA at Barrow in Furness, had been given no discharge certificate and several letters to HQ requesting the certificate had been fruitless. Despite that he claimed that he had been called up for service with 2/5^th Battalion, KLR, served only 120 days and was then discharged from hospital and service on 19^th July 1919. He added that he had served before the outbreak of war and his records show that he in fact enlisted in the 1^st Lancashire RGA on 3^rd March 1909 and was discharged at his own request on 31^st May 1912.

Grateful thanks are extended to Brian Howell, the great nephew of Albert Edward for providing the wonderful photograph of Albert. 

We currently have no further information on Alfred Edward Howell. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.