Week 12 - Albert William Cosser

[Merry]

Albert was the eldest child of Albert Henry Cosser and his wife. Agnes Mary nee Crane. He was born in 1887 in Pokesdown, Bournemouth, about three miles from where I live now.

By 1911 Albert had left home having recently married Nellie Olden and they lived in Boscombe, Bournemouth. Albert was a gardener.

As far as I can see Albert and Nellie didn't have any children together.

Albert joined the Hampshire regiment (Private 25849), but his medal card doesn't include any dates and his service record does not seem to have survived.

Albert died on 21 Dec 1916 and was buried at Sailly-Saillisel British Cemetery, Somme, France.

Nellie didn't remarry, and remained in the Bournemouth/Christchurch area until her death in 1967.

[Shona]

There are war diaries for the 1st Hampshire regiment at the regimental museum in Winchester, Merry, or you could buy them via the National Archives.

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=C14016994

As Albert wasn't awarded a 1914 or 1915 Star, then he most likely enlisted in Winchester in 1916.

There are another 10 men of the 1st Hampshires buried at Sailly-Saillisel British Cemetery who died on either 20 December (eight men) or 22 December (two men). Albert is the only Hampshire Regiment death on 21 December who was buried in this cemetery. The cemetery was opened up after the Armistice and remains where moved there from many smaller cemeteries in the area.

I've looked for the service records of the other men, but can't find any. None of them seem to have been awarded the 1914 or 1915 Stars, so all were likely to have enlisted in 1916 like Albert.

This is what the 1st Hampshires were doing from July until Dec 1916.

1-13 July: Battle of Albert
(including the capture of Montauban, Mametz, Fricourt, Contalmaison and La Boisselle).

1 July:
At 7.20am, 10 minutes before 'zero hour', a large mine was blown up under the German position at Hawthorn Ridge alerting the enemy that an attack was imminent and giving them time to man there positions. A, B and C Companies (D Company was in Reserve) left their trenches at 7.40am, following the East Lancashire - who had already been almost wiped out. The men came under sustained machine and rifle attack. The survivors sheltered in shell holes until darkness fell. There were 11 officers and 310 men killed and missing; 15 officers and 250 men were wounded.

After the battle, returned to billets in Mailly.

I can't find anything at the moment for the last half of July or beginning of August 1916.

8 Aug: Gas attack.
11 Aug: Relieved of front-line duties.
21 Aug: Went from Brandhoek to Ypres. A and B Companies billeted at Zillebeke Bund with C and D in the infantry barracks in the town.
22 Aug: Relieved Canadian Infantry on Menin Road.
27 Aug: Relieved of front-line duties.

1 Sept: Front line at Zillebeke.
5 Sept: Relieved and returned to Montreal Camp near Vlamertinghe.
10 Sept: Marched to Poperinghe, train to Bollezeele and to billets at Merckegem.
11 Sept: Marched to Capelle, a couple of miles south of Dunkirk.
15 Sept: Marched back to Merckegem.
16 Sept: Marched to Esquellbecq and then train to Amiens.

Most of the rest of September was taken up with training; 27 men arrived as reinforcements.

At the beginning of October, the 1st Hampshire were billeted at Corbie at a safe distance from the Somme front line.

7 Oct: Marched eight miles to Meaulte,
8 Oct: Marched to Montauban and stayed in make-shift shelters until tents became available on 12 October.
17 Oct: Moved-up to reserve lines and then support lines near Les Boeufs.
22 Oct: Relieved the 1st Somersets on the front line between Morval and Les Boeufs.
23 Oct: Battle of Le Transloy. Misty morning. British guns had been firing at enemy lines, but fell short leaving the Germans relatively unscathed. Due to weather, attack put back from 11.30am to 2.30pm. At 2.30pm, A and C companies attacked with D remaining in support and B in reserve. The men of A and C companies came under heavy German machine gun and rifle fire with C company experiencing heavy losses. However, they did reach German lines, but as they lacked ammunition had to retreat. 10 officers and 192 ranks lost.
24 Oct; Relieved of front-line duties and returned to Trones Wood, arriving at 4am. Onward march to Mansell Camp.
27 Oct: New billets at Meaulte,
30 Oct: Train to Arraines and then marched to billets at Merelessart.
End of Oct: Billeted at Abbeville.

2 Nov: Marched to Ramburelles.
4 Nov: Major-General Lambton made an inspection.
Nov: Drill and training
20 Nov: Company training.
30 Nov: Full exercise.

159 reinforcements arrived during November.

1-6 Dec: More training.
7 Dec: Marched to Morlancourt
8 Dec: Marched to Bray-sur-Sommes
15 Dec: Transported by lorry to Maurepas and then marched to Combles.
19 Dec: On front line of Somme once more.
23 Dec: Relieved by the 1st Somerset Light Infantry after four days on front.

I can't find any details of what fighting took place on the front line between 19 Dec to 23 December, though.

However, on the D929 Albert-Bapaume Road, near the village of Le Sars, there is a sign which reads:

'Ligne de Front 20 December 1916'

[Merry]

Thanks very much Shona. :)