Pte 28304 Albert Tillston

• Age: 20
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: 6 S LANCS REGT
• Died on Tuesday 3rd July 1917
• Commemorated at: Baghdad North Gate
  Panel Ref: XIX.L.9

Albert Tillston  (known to the family as Alby) was born in the March quarter of 1898 in Liverpool. His parents David Tillston and his wife Mary (nee Le Court) had married on 7^th February 1875 in Christ Church, Kensington, Liverpool. Both parents were born in Liverpool. His father was a bricksetter.  Alby had siblings Emma, David, Charlotte, Henry, Charles, John, Frederick, Elizabeth, William, and James.  His nephew, David, was brought up with the family like a brother. 

In 1901 the family is living at 117 Sutton Street. His father is a bricklayer.  Also in the household is grandson David Tillston, and Edith Finlay, a visitor. Albert is 3.  

By 1911 the family has moved to 97 Sutton Street. His father is a bricklayer. Albert is 14, at school during the week, and working as an errand boy for a chandler’s.  Also in the household are grandchildren David and Mary.

Albert enlisted at Knowsley Park, Lancashire, on 7^th October 1915 as Private 31515, 21^st Reserve Battalionn, The King's Liverpool Regiment, giving his age as 19 years and 10 months. He was actually 17 years old.  He is described as being 5’5” tall, and weighing 116lbs, with a scar on his forehead. He gives his occupation as clerk, and his residence as 97 Sutton Street.  Albert was transferred to the 6^th Bn South Lancashire Regiment on 5/5/1916, and given the regimental number 28304. He signed for his kit, issued at Formby: 2 pairs boots/shoes, 1 cap, 2 pair drawers, 2 jackets, 1 pair puttees, 2 pair trousers, 1 waistcoat/cardigan, 1 cloak/great coat.

On 22/5/1916 Albert embarked at Devonport with his battalion, as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, for Egypt and the Mesopotamian Front. He disembarked at Basra on 13^th June (when the daytime temperatures reach 115-120 degrees F, 46-49 C).  A month later, Albert was admitted to 3^rd British General Hospital, Basra, on 15/7/1916 with malaria, and invalided to India on the Hospital Ship, Dongola (a converted P&O liner).  He was transferred to hospital in Mhow on 24/7/1916.  After eight months, he joined CBI Depot 8 (Combined British and Indian) at Hebbal Camp (Bangalore) on 12/3/1917.  Five weeks later, on 20/4/1917, Albert left Bangalore, embarked at Bombay on 24/4/1917, and disembarked at Basra 1/5/1917. Albert rejoined his unit in the field on 18/5/1917. However, six weeks later, on 1/7/1917, he was reported dangerously ill.

From No. 19 Casualty Clearing Station, Khan Jedidah [present day Al Jadidah, on the Tigris river north of Baghdad] To the Office of the Adjutant General, Basra, on 7^th July 1917:

“I have to inform you that 28304 Pte A. Tillston, 6^th S Lancs, was admitted to this hospital on the morning of the 1^st inst from the 41^st Field Ambulance. He was suffering from enteric fever. When he came in it was noted that he was seriously ill. His pulse was weak and rapid, his temperature was high and he had lost a great deal of flesh; he wandered in his speech. The same day there was some bleeding from his nose. He was given [..?..].  He did not sleep well in the night. The next day his condition became worse and he became delirious. In the evening he was given morphine so that he might have a quiet night. The next morning his condition was very grave and he died peacefully at about 1 p.m., the 3^rd instant. He had been visited by the Church of England chaplain attached to this hospital and was buried by him at 7 p.m. in the British Cemetery here on July 3^rd".

Alby was 20 years old, and 3,000 miles from home.

A notice was place in the Liverpool Echo on 14^th July 1917:  

 “July 3, at Basra, of enteric fever. Private A. Tillston (Alby), the dearly beloved son of David and Mary Tillston, 97 Sutton Street, Liverpool. (Sadly missed by Father and Mother and all the family.) Father in they gracious keeping, Leave we now our loved one sleeping.”

His father signed for his personal effects on 23^rd February 1918: 2 Id discs, 3 pocket wallets, 1 religious book, letters, photos.

On the anniversary of Alby’s death, on 3rd July 1918, notices were placed in the Liverpool Echo: 

“In loving memory of Private Albert Tillston, age 20 years, who died in Basra, India, of enteric, July 3 1917. (Not our will, but Thine, O Lord). Fondly remembered by all at 2 July Road, Anfield.” [His family.]

“In loving memory of my dear brother, Private Albert Tillston, age 20 years, who died in Basra, India, of enteric, July 3 1917. ‘Twas hard to part with one we loved, So tender and so young, On whose dear life so many hopes And fond affections clung. But God is wiser far than we, And does all things for the best; He has taken our darling Albert To dwell among the blest. – Ever remembered by Harry and Lizzie, 40 Groveland Avenue, Hoylake.”

In 1914, Baghdad was the headquarters of the Turkish Army in Mesopotamia. It was the ultimate objective of the Indian Expeditionary Force 'D' and the goal of the force besieged and captured at Kut in 1916. The city finally fell in March 1917, but the position was not fully consolidated until the end of April. Nevertheless, it had by that time become the Expeditionary Force's advanced base, with two stationary hospitals and three casualty clearing stations.

The North Gate Cemetery was begun In April 1917 and has been greatly enlarged since the end of the First World War by graves brought in from other burial grounds in Baghdad and northern Iraq, and from battlefields and cemeteries in Anatolia where Commonwealth prisoners of war were buried by the Turkish forces.

At present, 4,160 Commonwealth casualties of the First World War are commemorated by name in the cemetery, many of them on special memorials. Unidentified burials from this period number 2,729.

After the war, when dispersed graves were concentrated into permanent CWGC cemeteries, Albert’s body was exhumed and reburied in North Gate British Cemetery, Baghdad.  Unfortunately, the cemetery has fallen into disrepair and is not able to be maintained by the CWGC. A two-volume Roll of Honour listing all casualties buried and commemorated in Iraq has been produced and are on display at CWGC HQ in Maidenhead.

Alby’s father died in 1925, and his mother in 1932, still living at 97 Sutton Street.

His nephew David, who grew up with Alby, served in the RAF at the end of the war.

His brother James enlisted shortly after Alby, but was discharged within a few days as ‘not likely to become an efficient soldier’.

Albert Tillston is commemorated on the following memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 37

St. John the Baptist C of E Church, Tuebrook,

Green Lane Council School memorial.

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