Pte 51727 Albert Edward Henry Sanders

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 19th March 1917
• Commemorated at: London Cem Neuvillie-vitasse
  Panel Ref: II.E.15

Albert Edward Henry was born in Liverpool in September 1894 the son of Henry Sanders and his wife Charlotte (nee Smith) who married at St Mark's Church, Liverpool in 1893. Both parents were born in Liverpool. 

Albert was the first born of two children, his sister Victoria was born in 1898 but died aged 1 year. 

The family moved from Liverpool to Wallasey between 1898 - 1899.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 1 Somerset Villa, St George's Road  Wallasey. His father, Henry, is aged 33, occupation is shown as a book keeper for a paint manufacturer, mother Charlotte is aged 27, Albert is aged 6. They also have Charlotte’s sister staying, Elizabeth E. Smith aged 35.   

The Census of 1911 shows the family are still living at 1 Somerset Villas Villas. His father, Henry, is aged 43, still  working at the paint manufacturers, mother Charlotte is aged 37. They advise that they have been married for 17 years and have had two children, one of whom has survived.  Albert by now is 16 years of age and is a clerk for a paint manufacturer. Charlotte's sister, Elizabeth Ellen Smith, is aged 45.

Albert enlisted as Rifleman 4346 joining the 6th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Rifles). He embarked from Folkestone-Boulogne on 27th July 1916, reaching the 24th Infantry Base Depot on 29th July. He then proceeded to 17th Battalion K.L.R. on 06th August  and was posted to the 20th Battalion K.L.R. on 05th September 1916 as Private 51727.

The date upon which he was killed in action differs according to various register. SDGW give his death to be 19th March 1917 whilst CWGC shows 13th March 1917. He was aged 23 when he was killed.

Albert now rests at London Cemetery, Neuville Vitasse in France where his headstone bears the poignant epitaph:

"IN TREASURED MEMORY OF OUR DARLING ONLY SON DEAR ALBERT ASLEEP ON JESU'S BREAST".

Neuville-Vitasse was attacked by the 56th (London) Division on 07 April 1917 and captured by the same Division on 9 April. The village was almost entirely lost at the end of March 1918 but regained at the end of the following August. It was later "adopted" by the Metropolitan Borough of Paddington. The London Cemetery was made by the 56th Division in April 1917 and greatly extended after the Armistice when graves were brought in from other burial grounds and from the battlefields between Arras, Vis-en-Artois and Croisilles. London Cemetery contains 747 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 318 of the burials are unidentified and on a screen wall are panels bearing the names of casualties buried in the following four cemeteries, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire:- WANCOURT ROAD CEMETERY No.2, just East of NEUVILLE-VITASSE; NEUVILLE0-VITASSE MILL CEMETERY, close to a German strong point on the road to Mercatel; BEAURAINS ROAD CEMETERY No.2, just North-West of NEUVILLE-VITASSE; BEAURAINS GERMAN CEMETERY; and ERCHIN GERMAN CEMETERY (Nord). The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

The Wallasey News reported his death and show that Albert was a talented violinist and references from his teachers as well as his Officer give some real indication as to Albert's character.

Wallasey Soldier Killed

A Popular Violinist

Rifleman Albert Sanders, of the King’s Liverpool Regiment, was killed in action on March 18th. The brave young soldier, who was in his 23rd year, was educated at Wallasey Council School, and, previous to joining the colours in November, 1914, he was in business with his father in Liverpool. He was of a most lovable disposition, and will be sadly missed by a wide circle of friends. He was also a very promising violinist. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs H. Sanders, 1, Somerset Villas, St. George’s Road, Wallasey, to whom the deepest sympathy has been extended in their very sad bereavement.

2nd Lieutenant Charles C. Snowden writes:- “Dear Mr and Mrs Sanders – I write to tender you my sincerest sympathy in your great loss. Your son was a member of my platoon, and one whom I could always rely. His death was instantaneous, and you will be proud to know that he was killed, whilst doing his duty. It occurred whilst we were following up the retreating enemy, the platoon being in an advance patrol, therefore nearly all the time in sight of or in touch with the enemy. We buried him the same night, and erected a cross over his grave.”

In a letter from the chaplain, the Rev. A.L. Preston, C.F., says:- I want to say how dreadfully sorry I am for you at home in your great loss. He was taking part in the great advance, and death, thank God, was practically instantaneous, so that he suffered absolutely no pain. Will you try to remember that he died the finest death a man can die, fighting for his country and the right. May God who loves you and gave His Only Son to die for you, comfort you now in your hour of sorrow.”

Corporal A. Owens also writes:- “The shock of your son’s death, I can imagine must be very great to you and those he has left behind, for he was a good lad, with always a kind word for everybody, and from the time I have known him I never knew him to shirk duty, no matter how dangerous. He will be greatly missed by his chums, as he was liked by everyone but only for his kindness but for various other qualities that were in his nature. Please accept the sympathies of his platoon in your sad bereavement.

In letters of sympathy to his parents Mr. Thomas Hill (headmaster) and Mrs. Hill write:- Albert was a most lovable boy, and had it not been for this terrible war we have not the least doubt that there was a great future in store for him, but God has seen fit to take him to Himself, and we must bow to His will.”

Mr. Ernest Webster, assistant master writes:-“At school we were all proud of him, and had he been spared he was assured of a brilliant future.” 

Liverpool Daily Post 07th April 1917

SANDERS - March 18, killed in action in his 23rd year, Rifleman Albert E. H. Sanders (K.L.R.), the dearly devoted and only son of Mr and Mrs Sanders, 1 Somerset Villas, St George's Road, Wallasey.

God alone knows how we miss him,

He sees the tears we shed,

And whispers "Hush !, he only sleeps;

Your dear son is not dead."

Sadly missed and deeply mourned by his sorrowing Parents. 

SANDERS - In loving memory of Rifleman Sanders (Albert), killed in action March 18. - Sorrowfully missed by Elsie. 

Reported killed in Liverpool Daily Post 20th April 1917 :

Sanders, 51727, A.E.H. (Wallasey) 

Liverpool Daily Post 15th Aug 1917

SANDERS - In sad but loving birthday Remembrance of my dear Albert, killed in action, March 18, 1917. (He paid the sacrifice for his loved ones.) - Elsie.

Albert's effects were sent to his mother, the Pension record has no award and his probate records show he left an estate worth £173.16 shillings and 9 pence.

Albert is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Wallasey Civic Memorial 

St Hillary's Church, Wallasey 

YMCA Liverpool. 

His mother died in