Pte 300188 Albert Charles Bausor

• Age: 31
• From: Chelmsford, Essex
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Wednesday 1st May 1918
• Commemorated at: Esquelbecq Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.A.18

Albert Charles Bausor was born in 1886 in Chelmsford, the eldest of four children of the baker Charles Harris Bausor and Eliza Bausor (née Praill). His father had been born in 1853 at Great Chesterford; his mother in 1847 in Euston, London. The couple had married in 1885.

Albert’s siblings, all Chelmsford-born, were Harry Praill Bausor (born on 10th September 1887, died in 1970), John Harris Bausor (born on 11th February 1889, died in 1969), and Thomas William Bausor (born in 1892, died in 1965).

Aged four, Albert was recorded by the 1891 census living at 47 Duke Street in Chelmsford with his father, aged 37, a baker and corn dealer, his mother, Eliza, aged 43, and two younger brothers, Harry aged 3 and John 2. 

The 1901 census found 14 year-old Albert living with his parents and three younger brothers at the same address. Albert was a bread maker; his father is aged 47, a baker and shop keeper, his mother, is aged 53, while his brother Harry, 13, was an assistant in a stationer’s shop, John is 12, and Thomas 8. 

By 1911 the baker’s had been taken over by William Leonard Buxton. The census of that year found Albert’s unemployed father, aged 57, his mother aged 63. They advised that they had been married for 25 years, and have had 4 children.. The two youngest brothers living at 55 Victoria Road in Chelmsford. Meanwhile Albert was living and working as a coachman in White Barn, Wootton in Oxfordfordshire. 

Albert’s mother died, aged 69, in 1916. 

That year Albert married Marjorie Wickens in the Bromley district of Kent. His father died, aged 64, the following year. 

The Essex Newsman reported that his father had three sons in the Army on Saturday 19 December 1914; 

CHELMSFORD SERGEANT'S EXPERIENCES. 

Mr. C. H. Bausor, of Victoria Road, Chelmsford, is in the happy position of having three sons in the forces. His second son, Sergt. Harry Bausor, is in the 2nd Batt. of the Essex Regt. (Pompadours). Another son is in the Lancashire Hussars, and a third in the 5th Essex (Territorial) Batt. Sergt. Harry Bausor had the misfortune to be shot through the leg in September, but he is making a good recovery. He had previously been in the Battle of Mons.  

It is not known how or why Albert arrived in Liverpool but he was enlisted there, and originally served as Private 250534 in the Lancashire Hussars Yeomanry, and later as Private 300188 in No. 2 Company, 18th Battalion, The King's (Liverpool Regiment). 

He died from shrapnel wounds to his left buttock and right shoulder at O.C.3 Australian Casualty Clearing Station at 3.40 am on 01st May 1918, aged 31.

His death was reported in the Weekly Casualty List (War Office & Air Ministry ) on Tuesday 18th June 1918; 

DIED OF WOUNDS. 

KING'S (LIVERPOOL REGIMENT). - Bauser,  300188, A. C. (Chelmsford); Bell, 46630, W. (Whitehaven); Buckley, 99432, J. (Sutton-in-Ashfield); Charlesworth, 99291, A. (Mexborough); Dentith, 29766, Cpl. R. (Crewe); Firth, 94253, L.-Cpl. E. (Ossett); Howard, 360117, C. J. (Torquay); Leadbeater, 49572, J. H. (Southport); Murray, 51712, E. D. (Liverpool); Pitts, 269899, H. (St. Johns); Rigby, 49533, H. (Bootle). 

Albert now rests at Esquelbecq Military Cemetery in Nord, France, near the Belgian frontier, 24 kilometres north of Hazebrouck.

The cemetery was opened in April 1918 during the early stages of the German offensive in Flanders, when the 2nd Canadian and 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Stations came to Esquelbecq. It was closed in September 1918, although one French grave was added in 1919 and one British soldier from 1916 was added later from an isolated site.

The cemetery was used again during the Second World War, mainly for the burial of those killed during the German advance of May 1940 and the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force to Dunkirk.

Esquelbecq Military Cemetery contains 578 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 47 from the Second World War. There are also 11 French and German burials.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

On 17th May 1918 the Essex Weekly News reported:

“Pte. A. C. Bausor, King’s Liverpool Regt., brother of Mr. J. H. Bausor, 55 Victoria-rd., Chelmsford died of wounds on May 1.”

The day’s Essex County Chronicle carried a similar report:

“Mr. J. H. Bausor, of 55 Victoria Road, Chelmsford, has received official notification that his brother, Pt. A. C, Bausor, King’s Liverpool Regt., has died of wounds in France, on the 1st inst.”

He earned his two medals, his medal cards in the name of “Bansor”. 

His widow Marjorie received Albert’s Army effects, Army Pay of £5 4s 5d and a War Gratuity of £17.  No Pension record has been found. 

Albert’s brother Sergeant Harry Praill Bausor was taken prisoner by the Germans on 21st March 1918 while serving with the Essex Regiment. 

WEEKLY CASUALTY LIST, DECEMBER 17th, 1918. 

PART III. W.O.'s, N.C.O.'s, AND MEN . 

RELEASED PRISONERS OF WAR FROM GERMANY, ARRIVED IN ENGLAND. 

ESSEX REGIMENT. - Bauser 8495 H. (Chelmsford);  

The 1918 register of electors listed Albert’s brother John Harris Bausor still at 55 Victoria Road. Five years later he married Albert’s widow. She died, aged 81, in 1973. 

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