Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Mrs Mary Ann Watterson, born on the 21st March 1862 in Sileby, Leicestershire (daughter of Joseph Watterson, 1840 and Dinah Fisher, 1840-1882). Albert was born in the July quarter of 1892 in Sileby. Albert’s mother married Ezra Francis Thornton in the July Quarter of 1894 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district. Ezra died aged 49 years in the January quarter of 1900 in Mountsorrel. In March 1901 Albert was residing in the family home at Main Street, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire, together with his widowed mother, and siblings, Florence, an elastic trade worker, born on the 6th September 1886 and Alfred William, born in the April quarter of 1889, both his siblings were born in Sileby and half-blood siblings, John Henry Thornton, born on the 3rd April 1895 and Mary Jane Thornton, born on the 4th May 1900, both half-blood siblings were born in Mountsorrel, additionally there were also step siblings, twins, Ernest Thornton, a shoe trade worker and Arthur Thornton, a shoe trade worker, both born in the July quarter of 1885 and baptised on the 6th September 1885 in St. Peter’s Church, Mountsorrel, they were both born in Mountsorrel. In April 1911 Albert was employed as a boot maker and was residing in the family home at Briggs Yard, Main Street, Mountsorrel, together with his widowed mother and sibling, Alfred, a boot maker, and half-blood siblings, John Thornton, a brickyard labourer and Mary Thornton, and siblings, Horace Thornton, born in the January quarter of 1902 and Annie Thornton, born in the July quarter of 1904, the latter two siblings were both born in Mountsorrel.
Albert enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 9th November 1914 in Mountsorrel, and was allotted the regimental service number 3238. He gave his present address as 60, Dog and Gun Yard, Mountsorrel.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Mountsorrel on the 9th November 1914 and recorded his birthplace as no record, declared age as 22 years 6 months, trade or occupation as no record, that he was 5-feet 5 inches in height, weighed no record lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 35 inches, his vision was described as good, his physical development was described as good. Enlisted at Mountsorrel on the 9th November 1914. Joined on enlistment 5th Reserve Bn. Leicestershire Regt.
His medical inspection record gave his full name as Albert Watterson, his apparent age as 22 years 6 months, his height as 5-foot 5 inches, his chest measurement as 32½ inches to 35 inches, his vision as good and his physical development as good.
He was certified as fit for the Territorial Force. Date 9th November 1914. Place Mountsorrel.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Mary Ann Thornton, 60, Dog and Gun, Mountsorrel. Mother Mrs. Watterson, 62, Main Street, Mountsorrel.
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.
Posted. To 5th Reserve Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 9/11/14.
Embodied service commenced. 9/11/14.
Embarked. From Southampton per S.S. Queen Alexandria. 29/6/15.
Disembarked. At Rouen. 30/6/15.
Admitted. To Hospital. In the Field. 23/9/15.
To Duty. In the Field. 24/9/15.
Reported missing. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Assumed. To have been killed in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Struck off strength. 29/11/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 9/11/14 – 28/6/15. 232 days.
France. 29/6/15 – 13/10/15. 107 days
Total Service. 339 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On the 21st November 1916, Albert’s mother, Mary Ann Thornton of 60, Dog and Gun Yard, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire, was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of five shillings for one year.
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: 13 Oct-15 - At 6.00 am Battalion in place in RESERVE trench. At 12.00 noon bombardment of enemy trench FOSSE 8 commenced. At 1.00 pm smoke and gas turned on until 1.50 pm. At 2.00 pm assault. 5th Battalion LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT and 4th Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT advanced in lines of platoon at 50 paces distance against HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. 4th Battalion LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT attacked from 2nd line followed by the MONMOUTHSHIRE REGIMENT. REDOUBT captured but lines checked and stopped by Machine Gun fire from MAD POINT, MADAGASCAR, and SOUTH FACE, also heavy rifle fire FOSSE and DUMP TRENCH. First two lines as almost all Company officers became casualties. REDOUBT and half of NORTH FACE was held – LITTLE WILLIE and BIG WILLIE still in enemy hands. At 3.00 pm “B” Company sent up to reinforce centre and left of REDOUBT followed by “A” and part of “D” Companies. Machine Guns in position along original front line now held by “C” Company and parts of other regiments. Considerable progress made along LITTLE WILLIE by grenade party under Lieutenant C. H. F. WOLLASTON. Ground lost again owing to lack of grenades. At 5.30 pm ground now held consisted of front face of REDOUBT and up to LITTLE WILLIE and point 60. Remainder of REDOUBT untenable by either side. 138th Brigade relieved gradually by 139th Brigade. 138th Brigade hold original front-line trench. Many of “A” and “B” Companies still remained in the REDOUBT during the whole of next day.
An account of the events of the 12th and 13th October 1915.
On the 12th October 1915 the Battalion marched the ten miles from the village of Hesdigneul to the Redoubt in “fighting order”, with great coats rolled and strapped to their backs. They arrived at 10.00pm at Vermelles, and the following eight hours were spent packed solid in communication trenches. Each soldier carried six sandbags and every third a shovel. As you could imagine, none of them slept and the lucky ones had a drink before our artillery opened up at noon on the 13th October. The enemy artillery responded fifteen minutes later, and at 1.00pm we released chlorine gas, and disastrously for us an enemy shell shattered some containers in our frontline. At 2.00pm our troops, many wearing gas helmets went “over the top” and bayonet charged the enemy positions. Terrific machine gun fire tore into them and a shrapnel barrage added to the heavy casualties. Hours passed and furious hand to hand fighting took place and repeated bayonet charges drove the enemy back, who in turn counter attacked. After darkness fell Lance Corporal Clayson of the 1st/5th Battalion saved many lives by dragging wounded back to our trenches, and Captain Barton spent hours in No Man’s land giving morphine and water to the dying. When food and drink was brought up during the night the men had their first meal for twenty-four hours, but still no sleep. The morning of the fourteenth was very misty and this became smog as the Germans continued to use shrapnel and gas shells throughout the day. It was at 8.00am on the fifteenth that the relief was completed and buses took most of our troops back to Hesdigneul. The 1st/5th Battalion lost four officers, six wounded, two gassed and thirty-five men killed, one hundred and thirty-two wounded and twenty-two gassed.
On Saturday, December 4th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – LEICESTER TERRITORIALS - FALLEN OR MISSING. (A photograph accompanied the article). – Private A. WATTERSON, 5th Leicester’s, missing since October 13th. His mother (Mrs. Thornton) lives in Main-street, Mountsorrel.