Pte 32238 Albert Edward Town

• Age: 20
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: 8 E LANCS REGT
• Died on Saturday 28th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Arras Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 6

Albert Edward Town was born around September 1896, the son of William Town and his wife Jane (nee Gerrard) who were married on the 17th July 1892 at St Chrysostom's Church, Everton. Widower, William, was a 36 year old rigger of 15 Compton Street, his father Joseph was already deceased, whilst widow Jane Dalrymple was aged 29 of 28 Breckfield Road South, her father Peter Gerrard.

Albert was baptised on the 09th September 1896 at St Paul's Church, Kirkdale.

On the 1901 Census the family are living at 58 Avion Street, Toxteth. His father, William, is aged 47, a dock labourer born in Liverpool, his mother, Jane, is aged 38 also born in Liverpool. There are seven children in the household; Mary E. aged 21, a laundress born in London, all other children were born in Liverpool: William J. aged 18, a shop boy, Winifred 16, George P. 6, Albert E. 4, Mercy E. 2, and James V. 2 months. 

His father William was originally married to Mary Ann McConville on the 26th February 1877 at Holy Trinity Church, Liverpool. William was a 23 year old mariner, father Joseph, whilst Mary Ann was aged 21, father Daniel, both of 51 Hunter St. 

On the second marriage certificate his mother states she was widow Jane Dalrymple born c.1863. Her given address has a Josiah Thomas, a Calvanistic minister living there. 

His father died, aged 54, in 1907 and was buried on the 08th August 1907 at Toxteth Cemetery, address 2 Court Hill.

On the 1911 Census Albert is unfortunately found at the Seamans Orphanage in Newsham Park aged just 14. The rest of the family are living at 17a Mornington Street, Toxteth. His mother, Jane, is aged 48, a charwoman, with two remaining children in the household;  Mercy E. aged 12 at school, and John aged 5 at school. 

Albert enlisted as Private 32261 in the 22nd Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment which was a reserve Battalion for the Liverpool Pals. He was one of a batch transferred to the 8th Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment, where he became Pte 32238. He did not receive the 1915 Star so did not get sent overseas until at least 01st January 1916. 

He was killed in action on 28th April 1917, aged 20.

War Diary for 8/East Lancs on 28th April 1917 

Companies were in their positions by the time ordered. The movements of the Coys during the attack varied considerably during the day. The first wave from Reports received reached CUBA Trench and 2/Lt A.C.MARGRETT who was in charge of D Coy states he received verbal orders from (2?)Lt SPEAK to consolidate there. He dug in and at 3pm went along the trench to find 2/Lt SPEAK this he was unable to do and at 4.30 pm he sent back a message to Battalion Headquarters advising where he was. 2/Lt SPEAK went ahead with C Coy and gradually pushed out to his objective which he consolidated. This officer was wounded early in the day and was in the shell hole, his men however dug a trench out to him and got him back and he remained at duty until dark when he came in and reported to Battalion Headquarters. A and B Coys moved from O.B.L. keeping the first wave in view as far as possible, they also reached their objective where they dug in and consolidated. 2/Lt CUNLIFFE was unable to find any of our troops on his left and fearing that this flank might be in the air and as his RIGHT was being greatly bothered by Machine Gun Fire and Snipers he consolidated the Communication trench on both sides as well. The Battalion was relieved by the Argyle and Southern Highlanders and marched to Transport Lines at SAINT NICHOLAS.  

Battalion proceeded in busses to AMBRINES. [CWGC record 40 deaths of this day] 

Albert's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial:

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).  

His death was reported in the Liverpool Evening Express on 05th June 1917: 

Private Albert E. Town, East Lancs. Regiment, formally of the Liverpool “Pals”, who was killed on the 28th April in France, the eldest son of Mrs Jane Town, 32 Combermere Street, Dingle. He was formally in the employee of Messrs J. Lyon and Co. [mineral water manufacturers at 54, Brownlow Street East/Pembroke Place] 

His mother Jane received his Soldiers Effects and Pension, her address 52 Combermere Street. 

The 1921 census at Combermere Street shows; his mother Jane Town, born in 1864, Toxteth Park, Lancashire, England, Toxteth Park, his siblings Mercy E. Town,  James V. Town, and  John Town.

Albert is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 37 as 22nd Battalion KLR   

His mother died, aged 79, in 1943 and was buried on the 10th September in Allerton Cemetery, her address was then 19 Nickleby Street. 

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