Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frederick Cooling a builders labourer, born 1863 in Southwell, Notts., and his wife Anna Elizabeth, born 1863 in Navenby, Lincs. Albert Edgar was born in 1889 in Aylestone Park, Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at 3, Braunstone Gate, Leicester. In March 1901 Albert was residing in the family home at 67, Bridge Street, Canal Bank, Loughborough, Leics., together with his father, now a bricklayer, his mother and siblings, Mary Ann, born 1892 and William, born 1894, the latter two siblings were both born in Leicester, Reuben, born 1898 and Elsie, born 1899, the latter two siblings were both born in Loughborough, Leics., also residing with the family was his cousin Mary W. Singleton a hosiery machinist, born 1883 in Broughton, Lincs. In April 1911 Albert was employed as a boatman and was residing in the family home at 58 & 59 Canal Bank, Bridge Street, Loughborough, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Mary, William, Reuben, Elsie and Florence Eleanor, born 1902 in Loughborough, Leics.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
The War diary extract from 14th April 1917 reads:

In Trenches S of Monchy le Preux

At 2 am W Coy and 1 Platoon Y Coy took over the line occupie by the NFLD Rgt. The remainder of Y Coy took over W Coy line and Z Coy took over the line vacated by Y Coy. The line recently occupied by Z Coy was garrisoned by a company of teh 2nd SWB. Meanwhile the 1st Essex and NFLD Rgts formed up in a trench just E of Monchy dug up by the 2nd Hants on the previous night. At 5:30 am these battalions advanced under cover of a barrage and gained their objective.
At 10am about 2000 Germans were seen advancing towards us with small parties of our troops retiring before them.
The artillery was informed and barrage fire was immediately opened. When the retreating troops had cleared out front W Coy opened fire with rifles and Lewis Guns and the attack was completely shattered by 12:30pm although the enemy reached a point within 100 yds from our trenches.
After this Z Coy was moved up in case of another attack. The Essex & NFLD lost about 70% of their total strength. We lost Capt. S Bannister died of wounds
2 Lt Aitken wounded. 2 Lts Hackett and Brunskill wounded but remaining with unit. 50 O.R. killed and wounded. In connection with these operations the following special orders were issued:-

From VIth Corps:- Corps Commander congratulates you and your division on your defense of Monchy on 14th and on the gallant manner in which strong counter attack was repulsed.

Special Order of the Day.
The commanding officer has much pleasure in publishing the following:-
The divisional Commander Major General Sir Beauvoir de Lisle KCB DSO wishes to convey to all ranks of the Bn his high appreciation of the work performed by them on the 14th Inst. which he considers the most creditable to the regiment, adding to the reputation gained by all the battalions of the Regiment during the Campaign.

Extract of the special order of the day by Brigadier General Cayley CMG Cmdg 88th Inf Bde d/16/4/17.
During the operations on the 14th inst the conduct of the 4th Worc Rgt and 2nd Hants Rgt and MGC was most admirable. The 4th Worc Rgt defeated with heavy loss two strong counter attacks made on their position in the course of the day.

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Submitted by Great Nephew, M. Ward 2019