Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Ambrose an agricultural labourer, born in the January quarter of 1856 in Forty Foot Bridge, Ramsey, Huntingdonshire (son of James Ambrose, 1811-1860 and Mary Ann Hovell, 1819) and his wife Sarah Ambrose (nee Osborne), born in the July quarter of 1854 in Ramsey (daughter of Meadows). Albert was born on the 31st December 1887 in Warboys, Huntingdonshire, his siblings were Eliza Ann, born in the October quarter of 1886 in Forty Foot Bridge and John William, born in the July quarter of 1889 in Warboys, in April 1891 the family home was at 23, Cambridge Row, Benwick, North Witchford, Cambridgeshire.
In March 1901 Albert was employed as an agricultural labourer and was residing in the family home at Forty Foot Bank, Benwick together with his father, an agricultural labourer, his mother, an agricultural labourer and his siblings, William, an agricultural labourer, Samuel Rees, born in the October quarter of 1891 in Wistow, Huntingdonshire, Walter, born in the July quarter of 1899 in Huntingdon and Eliza, a farm worker.
In April 1911 Albert was employed as a farm labourer and was residing at 36, Edith Weston, Rutland with his wife Fanny Ambrose (nee Towell, married on the 11th October, 1910 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Edith Weston), born on the 4th November 1882 in Ardwick Lodge, Rutland and baptised on the 3rd December 1882 in St. Peter’s Church, Empingham, Rutland (daughter of Harry Towell, 1853 and Eliza Anne Corby, 1855).
Albert and Fanny had a daughter Doris Annie, born on the 7th April 1911 in Edith Weston and baptised on the 8th May 1911 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Edith Weston.
Albert enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 5th September 1914 in Luton, and was allotted the regimental service number 2338. He gave his place of birth as Warboys, Huntingdon and age as 27 years 11 months. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as labourer. He gave his present address as Edith Weston, Stamford.
He confirmed that he had previously served with 3rd Bn. Lincolnshire Regt., purchased discharge, and Leicestershire Regt., discharged time expired.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Luton on the 5th September 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Warboys, Huntingdonshire, declared age as 27 years 330 days, trade or occupation as labourer, that he was 5-feet 7½ inches in height, weighed [no record] lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 34½ inches, his physical development was described as [no record], his vision was described as R.E.-V=[no record] L.E.-V=[no record]. Enlisted at Luton on the 5th September 1914. Joined on enlistment 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 2338.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 27 years 10 months, height 5-feet 7½ inches weight [not recorded] lbs, chest measurement of between 32½ and 34½ inches his complexion was described as [not recorded], he had dark eyes and his hair colour was black. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded]. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He was certified as fit for the Territorial Force. Date 9th November 1914. Place Luton.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Mrs. F. Ambrose, Edith Weston, Stamford.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Luton. 5/9/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 5/9/14.
Posted. To 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 5/9/14.
Embodied service commenced. 5/9/14.
Embarked. With 1/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 26/2/15.
Landed. At Le Havre. 27/2/15.
Admitted. To Hospital, slightly wounded. In the Field. 11/9/15.
Returned to Duty. In the Field. 11/9/15.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid). In the Field. 17/10/15.
Promoted. To Acting Corporal. In the Field. 2/4/16.
Admitted. To 2nd North Midland Field Ambulance. In the Field. 7/4/16.
Discharged. To Duty. In the Field. 9/4/16.
Killed in action. In the Field. 9/7/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 5/9/14 – 27/2/15. 176 days.
France. 28/2/15 – 9/7/16. 1 year 133 days.
Total Service. 1 year 309 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 8 Jul-16 - HANNESCAMPS. Pumping out trenches all day. Fine hot day helped us. Corporal AMBROSE killed by Whizz bang.
On Friday 28th, July 1916, The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury published the following article on page 2, under the heading. – EDITH WESTON. – KILLED IN ACTION. – Much sympathy is felt for the widow and child of corp. F. Ambrose, Leicestershire Regt., who was killed in action during the recent British advance. Letters received from Lieut.-Col. Jones, Lieut. Jelley, and the Chaplain speak very highly of deceased.
On the 19th January, 1917, Albert’s widow, Fanny, of 36, Edith Weston, Stamford was awarded a weekly Army Dependent’s Pension of fifteen shillings and six pence for herself and her daughter, commensurate on the 22nd January 1917.
A biography reproduced from the 1920 publication, Rutland & the Great War, compiled by G. Phillips records the following: - He was a labourer and joined up on the 5th September, 1914. He proceeded abroad the following February, and fought in all the battles in France and Belgium in which the 5th Leicestershire’s participated, until his death on the 8th July, 1916. He was killed instantaneously by a shell while in the front trench. He is buried at Hannescamp, south of Arras. In a letter to Mrs. Ambrose at the time from Lieut. Col. C. H. Jones, commanding 5th Leicestershire Regt., says: - “I have the very highest opinion of your husband, and he was liked and admired by all. Lately he had done especially good work and I had his name on my list for special mention, if not tangible reward, when the time came.” The deceased’s other officers also wrote highly of him, Lieut. A. S. Jelley observing: “I can say without the least exaggeration that he was the most fearless man under my command, and assisted me very greatly in the attack on July 1st, when we were almost constantly working side by side.”
[recognitum I-XI-MMXXIV]