Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Alphonso Hunt, a fish salesman, born 13th March 1861 in Loughborough, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Hunt (nee Doyle, married on the 9th July 1903 in the Registry Office Leicester), born 1871 in Nottinghamshire. Albert Hunt Doyle was born in the 1st quarter of 1894 in Leicester, he had a half blood sibling, Frank Alphonso, a fishmonger, born 10th April 1883 in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 32, York Street, Leicester. In April 1911 Albert was absent from the family home at 21, Arthur Street, Leicester, residing there was his father, a fishmonger and his stepmother, who was assisting in the family business, Albert had enlisted into the Army on the 2nd June 1910 in Leicester and was serving as a Private with the 12th (Prince of Wales’s Own) Lancers.
Albert also had the following older half blood siblings, Maude Annie, born 17th January 1882 and Thomas Bernard, born 27th September 1884, both siblings were born in Leicester, all his half blood siblings were from his father’s previous marriage on the 8th August 1881 in Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, Leicester to Sarah Ann Taylor, born 1861 in Leicester, and who he divorced in 1903. Albert’s father divorced his mother, Mary in 1909, and married Emma May Gamble on the 13th December 1909 in the Registry Office in Leicester, a blessing of this marriage took place in Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church on the 25th August 1910. Albert’s father died in the 6th Aug 1933 at 14, Napier St., Leicester.
Albert’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Cavalry, being allotted the service number 2825, and was posted as a Private to the 12th (Prince of Wales’s Royal) Lancers and with this unit he first entered the theatre of war in France on the 15th August 1914. He was recorded as being killed in action at Mons, Belgium on the 28th August 1914, being part of the British Expeditionary Forces 5th Cavalry Brigade’s retreat from Mons. He was awarded the 1914 STAR, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 28 Aug-14 – Map LAON. BERNOT. Paraded at 3.00am and marched with all speed to point 127 West of THENELLS. About 9.00am the Regiment was sent to reconnoitre to the West in the direction of NEUVILLE and MESNIL-ST.-LAURENT finding no traces of the enemy we were ordered to retire to MOY on the OISE, off saddle and graze. At 4.30pm, hearing shots to the North, the Commanding Officer ordered the Regiment to saddle up and mount, and the Regiment came into action on the ridge West of ALAINCOURT. “C” Squadron came into action dismounted leaving their horses under cover, and engaged a squadron of the enemy with dismounted fire at about 1000 yards. “A” and “B” Squadrons were ordered to attack on the right flank, and holding the enemy with dismounted fire, covered the advance of “C” Squadron who were ordered to mount, and take up another position closer to the enemy. On getting close the Commanding Officer observed that the moment was opportune for a charge, and charging the dismounted German Dragoons, killed the lot with the exception of 4 prisoners. The Machine Gun under Lieutenant W. R. STYLES and “J” Battery ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY kept the enemy’s main body back behind a wood about 800 yards in rear of their advanced squadron with well directed fire. The Regiment accounted for 70 and the total losses inflicted on the enemy were estimated at about 200. The Regiment then retired to AUTREVILLE via LA FERE, FERGNIERE and CHAUNY to billet.
Casualties:- Captain J. C. MITCHELL and 4 men. Wounded:- Lieutenant Colonel F. WORMALD and 5 men. Horses 16.
The enemy’s Regiment appears to have been the 2nd (Queen Victoria’s Own) Dragoons. The German Commander was the COUNT von FURSTENBERG.
APPENDIX.
MOY. 28th August, 1914.
At 3.00am, on the morning of the 28th August, 1914, the 12th Royal Lancers was hurriedly turned out from its bivouac at BERNOT, and rendezvoused on some high ground to the S.W., of St. Quentin with the rest of the 5th Cavalry Brigade, where it halted for about half an hour, allowing time to draw rations which had been hurriedly sent up in lorries by the zealous officer in charge. Moving off again towards St. Quentin, it halted under cover, and two officers patrols were despatched to NEUVILLE and MESNIL St LAURENT. These patrols, on their return, reported that there was no sign of the enemy, and that they had been unable to obtain any news of them from the inhabitants.
About 10.30am, orders were received from Brigade Headquarters that the Regiment was to go into Brigade Reserve for the day at MOY on the OISE. This was welcome news, as it was an exceedingly hot day, and men and horses would all be better for a good rest. The Regiment arrived at MOY about noon, where after watering, the horses were off-saddled and fed in the chateau grounds of the village. Officers and men availed themselves of the lake to have a thorough wash-up and shave.
At 4.10pm, on hearing shots being fired from the direction of CERISY, where the Scots Greys were providing day outposts with the 20th Hussars in close support, the Colonel at once gave orders to the Regiment to “saddle-up” and follow, whilst he went on ahead with his Headquarters to ascertain what was happening. “C” Squadron, which had saddled up in an incredibly short space of time under Captain J. C. Mitchell, closely followed by the Machine Gun Section under Lieutenant W. R. Styles, whose men were overhauling their gun equipment and pack saddlery at the time, were soon on the scene. On getting into the open country outside the village, a Squadron of German Cavalry about 800 yards away was at once seen moving in very close formation down the hill towards MOY. “C” Squadron at once dismounted and opened fire, sending their horses into some dead ground for cover, the M.G. Section coming into action in the same way. The German cavalry, as soon as they came under fire, at once dismounted in the open on the front face of the hill, sending their horses back over the crest under the heavy fire from “C” Sqn., and the M. G. Section, which eventually caused them to stampede. As soon as “A” and “B” Sqns., arrived a few minutes later, they were ordered to move under cover to the high ground on the enemy’s left flank, and engage the enemy with dismounted fire. This manoeuvre was admirably carried out, every opportunity being taken to use the cover which the folds in the ground afforded and signalling communication being established as soon as the Squadrons were in position. In the meanwhile, whist “A” and “B” Sqns., were moving to this flank, a section of guns from “J” Battery arrived and came into action on “C” Squadrons left rear, shelling the dismounted German Cavalry, and a wood in the rear which was suspected to hold the rest of the German Cavalry Brigade. The Brigadier, Genl. Sir P. Chetwode, shortly afterwards arrived on the scene, and expressed himself satisfied with Lieut-Col Wormald’s action and dispositions. By this time, the enemy had retired to the crest of the hill, maintaining a brisk and accurate fire on “C” Sqn., all the time.
As soon as “A” and “B” Sqns., had reached their positions, the Colonel gave orders to “C” Sqn., to mount, in order to move to a position nearer to the enemy for further dismounted action, covered by the fire of the flanking Squadrons at the same time despatching his Adjutant to reconnoitre the ground between him and “A” Sqn., gain touch with them and return. The Adjutant found that the ground immediately in front of the position which the enemy were holding, was so dead that it was possible to approach within 50 yards of them unseen, and so on his return, reported this fact to the Colonel, whom he met moving up at the head of “C” Sqn., suggesting at the same time that, owing to this advantage, it would be an excellent opportunity to resort to shock tactics, as the enemy’s attention was fully occupied fire of “A” and “B” Sqns.
The Colonel at once ordered “C” Sqn., forward at the walk as the ground over which they were moving was getting steeper, and he wished to keep the horses as fresh as possible for the final charge. Just before reaching the crest, he gave orders to “Form Squadron” as the Sqn., was moving in “Line of Troop Columns” over the rough ground, and as they topped the crest and came in sight of the enemy, he gave the order “Gallop” and “Charge” the latter call being taken up by the “C” Sqn., trumpeter. In a perfect line, with ringing cheer, the Squadron, with Lieut-Col Wormald and his two orderlies and the Trumpet Major about 30 yards ahead and the Adjutant on his left, raced across the remaining 50 yards that separated them from the enemy. The German Cavalrymen for the most part fought exceedingly gallantly, though a few put up their hands or laid down in the roots. The Colonel was immediately wounded and his horse shot dead, though not before he had transfixed his man so thoroughly that his sword buckled and remained firmly embedded in the German soldier’s body. One of his orderlies, Pte. Nolan was killed, and the other (Pte. Casey), after having his horse shot under him, extricated himself and his rifle and accounted for four Germans. Tpt. Major Mowlan who was following the Colonel, was severely wounded in the thigh, the only one of the Headquarters Party being the Adjutant, Capt Bryant, who accounted for no less than 5 Germans with his own sword.
Capt Mitchell was killed at the head of “C” Squadron in the first charge, shot through the head by a well aimed German bullet, but otherwise casualties were very small, four men being killed and Lieut Col Wormald and five men wounded.
As soon as “C” Squadron had broken completely through the German position; Lieut R. Wyndham Quinn quickly rallied them, and charged back through the position, accounting for a few more of the enemy en route. Then, rallying again, the Squadron once more charged up the hill, but the enemy had by then been accounted for, except four unwounded men who were discovered hiding in the roots, and who were taken prisoner.
In the meanwhile “A” and “B” Sqns., had brought a very effective fire to bear on the remainder of this German Regiment, who attempted to move forward from the wood in rear, supported by the fire of the Regimental Machine Gun Section: and “J” Battery R.H.A’s., Section of guns. A fresh German Regiment, which attempted to move forward to the support of the original advanced guard Squadron was stopped in an equally effective manner.
Simultaneously with this action; the Scots Greys and the 20th Hussars were closely engaged with a third enemy Regiment, which was attempting to enfilade the left flank of the 12th Lancers. The 20th Hussars silencing, with their accurate rifle fire a German Battery which attempted to come into action; almost before it had fired a single round. Both these Regiments inflicted very heavy casualties on the enemy. The whole action was a very fine example of combined fire and shock action, and of the cavalry pre-war training, both with rifle and lance. The losses suffered by this German Cavalry Brigade must have put it out of action as a fighting Unit for several days, as well as inflicting a very severe blow to its morale. Of the Squadron engaged by “C” Squadron 75 to 80 killed and wounded were counted on the ground after the action, 4 unwounded prisoners being taken, as already mentioned. The actual fight took place in the vicinity of the farm of CERIZY, but to the 12th Lancers this engagement will always be known as MOY.
On Friday November 6th 1914 The Leicester Journal published the following article under the heading. “KILLED IN ACTION.” – Mr. J. A. Hunt, fish salesman, of 21, Arthur-street, Leicester, has just received notice from the War Office that his son, No.2825, Private Albert Doyle Hunt, of 12th Lancers, was killed in action on August 28th. Private Hunt was a late scholar of Alderman Newton’s School, where he was known as a very good athlete and one of the -?- -?- -?- footballers. Upon leaving school he was apprenticed to a teacher of physical culture in -?-. He subsequently enlisted in the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, stationed in Dublin, and was transferred to the 12th Royal Lancers.
On Thursday 15th July 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – Old Newtonians’ Roll of Honour. Nearly 300 old boys of Alderman Newton’s School are known to be serving with the colours. A complete list has been prepared and printed for private circulation, “With the best wishes and heartiest greetings to the Old Newtonians who are serving their King and Country in defence of honour.” The following Old Newtonians have fallen:-
HUNT, A. D., 12th Lancers, Mons, Aug. 28, 1914.
RICHARDSON, J. T., H.M.S. Good Hope.
FIELDING, Lieut., 1st Sherwood Foresters.
ASHWELL, F., Sergt. K.R.R., Tryon, Sept., 1914.
PRATT, H.
ADAMS, C. H., Leicester Yeomanry, 13th May, 1915.
HOPKINS, J. H., Leicester Yeomanry, 13th May, 1915.
MATTHEWS, F. H., Leicester Yeomanry, 13th May, 1915.
HOLMES, H., Lnc-Cpl., Leicester Yeomanry, 13th May, 1915.
FLETCHER, Wm., Sergt., 2nd Leicester’s, 15th May, 1915.
FREER, J. W., Lieut., Dardanelles.