Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Job Henry Houghton, born in the October quarter of 1862 in Wirksworth, Derbyshire (son of William Houghton and Sarah Barton, 1836) and his wife Sarah Ellen Houghton (nee Nelson, married in the October quarter of 1887 in The Ebenezer Chapel, Wirksworth), born in the January quarter of 1867 in Sheffield, Yorkshire (daughter of John Nelson, 1829-1897 and Sarah Sawyer, 1830-1896). Albert was born in the October quarter of 1896 in Wirksworth and baptised on the 7th January 1897 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Wirksworth.
Albert’s father died on the 8th July 1904, aged 42 years and was interred on the 19th July in Wirksworth Cemetery.
In April 1911 Albert was employed as a shoe trade laster and was residing in the family home at 170, Mount Road, Leicester, together with his widowed mother and siblings, Sarah, a bag trade worker, born in the April quarter of 1888 and baptised on the 22nd July 1891 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Wirksworth, William, a shoe trade worker, born in the January quarter of 1890 and baptised on the 22nd July 1891 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Wirksworth, Nellie, a bag trade worker, born in the January quarter of 1894 and baptised on the 10th October 1894 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Wirksworth, Job Henry, a shoe trade laster, born in the July quarter of 1895 and baptised on the 29th January 1896 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Wirksworth, Walter, a schoolboy, born in the October quarter of 1897 and baptised on the 6th April 1898 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Wirksworth, Agnes Hettie, a schoolgirl, born on the 11th April 1900 and baptised on the 24th May 1900 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Wirksworth, Leonard, a schoolboy born in the January quarter of 1902 and baptised on the 29th January 1904 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Wirksworth and Jane, a schoolgirl, born in the July quarter of 1904 and baptised on the 5th October 1904 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Wirksworth, all his siblings were born in Wirksworth.
Albert’s widowed mother, married Percy Henry Hall in the October quarter of 1912 in Leicester.
FAMILY NOTE: There is no trace of a census return for the family for March 1901.
Albert’s army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted/Attested in Leicester into the Regular Army. Date not known.
Joined. At Leicester. Date not known.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 17524.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in France after the 31st December 1915.
Killed in action. In the Field. 15/9/16.
Body not recovered. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
Awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In the event of his death, Albert nominated his mother Mrs. Nellie Hall as his sole legatee.
The War Diary records: 15 Sep-16 - Battalion moved into its attack position during the night and were finally settled down and ready to attack by 4.30am. 2nd Lieutenant DAVIES attached Q 6th Division. The Commanding Officer decided to attack with “D” and “B” Companies in the front line, with “D” on the left and “B” on the right. “A” and “C” Companies formed the second line, with “A” on the left and “C” on the right. Two Lewis Guns accompanied each Company, and two were left in reserve with Battalion Headquarters. Two Bombing Squads of ten each were also formed in each Company. These squads carried the full amount of bombs, while every man also carried two Mills No.5 bombs (one in each pocket). The fighting strength of the Battalion going into action was 23 officers including (the Medical Officer and Chaplain) and 643 other ranks. About 5.50am two enemy aeroplanes appeared above us, but did not stay long. About this time also, a Tank was noticed on our right moving quietly up to the enemy’s front line. On arriving there he immediately opened fire with his machine guns, enfilading the German trench on either side. He was very heavily fired on by the enemy’s machine guns which apparently had no effect as he still continued his movements and firing. Nothing further happened till ZERO (6.20am) when the attack commenced. The leading Company’s at once advanced at the walk in from lines 30X entrance between lines. A heavy machine gun fire was immediately opened by the enemy from about T.15 b 0.4. The Support Companies followed on in the same formation 300X in the rear of the last wave of the leading Company. Battalion Headquarters moved immediately in the rear of the last wave of Support Companies. The mist and smoke was terribly thick, and allowed no observation by the Support Company’s and Battalion Headquarters as to what was exactly happening to the leading Companies. Owing to this (mist and smoke) a slight error occurred in direction. The right and left under orders to keep in touch with units attacking on our right and left, moved with these units thereby causing a small gap near our centre. This was immediately filled up by Support Companies. The Artillery barrage opened too late to do any harm as the whole of the Supports had crossed the road moving due south from GINCHY (the place where the barrage was directed) before the barrage commenced. Battalion Headquarters had by this time moved into a shell hole about T.14 b 7.4. Throughout the advance the Battalion suffered very heavily from Machine Gun fire. The Battalion had not gained its objective line held up by very heavy fire, and the very strong and undamaged wire of the trench leading from the North West corner of the Left Quadrilateral (a strong point hitherto unknown). “A” Company immediately entrenched itself on a small ridge about T.14 b 9.6 to T.14 b 8.2. Efforts were made to locate the exact positions of “B,” “C” and “D” Companies. It was found that “B” and “C” were entrenched about T.14 b 7.7 had lost very heavily while unsupported. “D” Company had lost very heavily also and the remainder (“D” Company) were still advancing with the GUARDS and occupying shell holes between our new position and the German wire (a few of the latter came in under the cover of darkness). Good communication was kept with the contact aeroplane by means of flares and groundsheets throughout the day. Great difficulties were experienced in keeping track with Brigade Headquarters owing to the impossibility of using means of wired signalling, and the heavy barrage kept up throughout the day making it impossible for a runner to succeed in getting through. And then later Private PARRY (“A” Company) did excellent work in getting through and returning safely to us, thus three times saving the day, he was finally detained by Brigade Headquarters after a fourth journey. Throughout the day the trenches were improved, and by night everyone had more or less good cover. “A” Company, “B” Company and Headquarters were subjected to heavy shell fire throughout the day. “B” and “C” Company were moved up to where our new line was continued to the right and left. The night was quiet except for heavy sniping in front of “C” Company and its attack on one line of trenches and a communication trench (in course of construction) line carried without any serious opposition. These were occupied by the 9th Bavarian Regiment. No prisoners were taken. Casualties, 2nd Lieutenant J. C. WEBB, 2nd Lieutenant J. G. KENNEDY and Lieutenant A. H. PINDER were all killed. 2nd Lieutenant F. B. STEVENSON, Captain H. PICKBOURNE, 2nd Lieutenant H. A. GRAVES, 2nd Lieutenant W. BLACKLOCK, Captain G. H. SALMON, Lieutenant J. H. JOHN and 2nd Lieutenant R. PICKERSGILL were all wounded. Captain C. W. HERBISON, 2nd Lieutenant G. H. GRISTWOOD, 2nd Lieutenant J. BURNETT and 2nd Lieutenant J. G. GARDNER were all wounded and subsequently died. Other Ranks, “A” Company 23, “B” Company 35, “C” Company 23 and “D” Company 27 were killed. “A” Company 36, “B” Company 69, “C”. Company 56 and “D” Company 60 were wounded. “A” Company 5, “B” Company 11, “C” Company nil and “D” Company 16 missing in action.
On the 5th February 1918, Albert’s mother, Mrs. Sarah Ellen Hall, of 8, Leicester Street, Leicester, was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of fifteen shillings, for both Albert and his brother Walter. A gratuity of four pounds and nine shillings was also awarded.
[recognitum V-VI-MMXXIV]