Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Pickard, an artificial stone labourer, born in the October quarter of 1862 in Markfield, Leicestershire and baptised on the 9th December 1866 in the Church of St. Michael & All Angels, Markfield (son of Elizabeth (Eliza) Pickard, 1842) and his wife Sarah Ann Pickard (nee Swinfield, married on the 12th April 1881 in the Church of St. Michael & All Angels, Markfield) born in the October quarter of 1860 in Kings Norton, Worcestershire (daughter of James Swinfield, 1816-1903 and Ann Wells, 1827). Albert Charles was born on the 6th December 1890 in Groby and baptised on the 1st February 1891 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Groby, his siblings were, George Harry, a schoolboy, born on the 31st October 1881 in Markfield and baptised on the 7th November 1881 in St. Michael & All Angels Church, Markfield, Charlotte Ann, a schoolgirl, born on the 6th October 1885 and baptised on the 13th December 1885 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Groby and Sarah Elizabeth, born on the 1st August 1889 and baptised on the 1st September 1889 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Groby, the latter two siblings were both born in Groby, in April 1891 the family home was at Main Street, Ratby, Leicestershire.
In March 1901 Albert was residing at Bradgate Road, Anstey, Leicestershire, this being the family home of his paternal uncle, Harry Pickard, a shoe trade rivetter, born 1870 in Markfield.
In April 1911 Albert was employed as a boot trade finisher and was residing at Bradgate Road, Anstey, this being the family home of his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Black, born 1843 in Markfield, also residing in the family home was Albert’s sister, Sarah, a boot trade finisher.
Albert married Caroline Emily Leake on the 3rd August 1913 in All Saint’s Church, Thurcaston with Cropston, Leicestershire, Emily was born on the 11th February 1893 in Thurcaston and baptised on the 16th April 1893 in All Saint’s Church, Thurcaston with Cropston (daughter of William Leake, 1861 and Sarah Jane Ballard, 1862).
Albert and Caroline had two children, Gladys Lilian, born on the 20th October 1913 and Mabel Irene, born on the 1st March 1915, both children were born in Anstey.
Albert’s younger brother Harold was lost on HMS Natal on the 30th December 1915.
FAMILY NOTES: Albert also had the following siblings, Thomas Edward, born in the January quarter of 1884 in Markfield and baptised on the 9th March 1884 in St. Michael & All Angels Church, Markfield, and who died aged 1 year in January 1885 in Groby and was interred on the 1st February in Groby Cemetery, Emily, born on the 27th December 1886 and baptised on the 22nd March 1887 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Groby, and who died aged 3 months in March 1887 in Groby and was interred on the 26th March in Groby Cemetery, Sidney, born on the 19th May 1888 and baptised on the 1st July 1888 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Groby, and who died in September 1888 in Groby and was interred on the 3rd September in Groby Cemetery, Constance Beatrice, born on the 8th February 1892 and baptised on the 28th April 1892 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Groby and who died aged 1 year in January 1893 in Groby and was interred on the 2nd February in Groby Cemetery, Mabel, born in the April quarter of 1893 and baptised on the 2nd July 1893 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Groby and William Stanley, born on the 21st August 1897 and baptised on the 3rd February 1898 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Groby, Walter Wilfred, born on the 6th May 1899 in Groby and baptised on the 4th June 1899 in the Church of St. Philip & St. James, Groby the latter six siblings were all born in Groby and Arthur, born in the April quarter of 1900 in Stockton and who died aged 1 day in Stockton in May 1900 and was interred on the 4th May in St. Cuthbert’s Churchyard, Billingham. Albert’s sister Charlotte Ann, died aged 13 years in November 1898 in Leicester and was interred on the 10th November in Groby Cemetery.
Albert enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 9th December 1915 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 28032. He gave his age as 25 years. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as shoe hand. He gave his present address as Bradgate Road, Anstey, Leicestershire
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 25 years, height 5-feet 7½ inches and chest measurement of between 34½ and 37½ inches. The following distinctive marks were noted, nil.
He gave his next of kin as his grandmother, Elizabeth Black, Bradgate Road, Anstey, Leicestershire. Wife, Emily Caroline Pickard, Bradgate Road, Anstey, Leicestershire.
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.
Attested. Leicester. 9/12/15.
Transferred. To Army Reserve. Pte. 9/12/15.
Mobilized. 13/4/16.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 13/4/16.
Posted. To 12th Infantry Brigade Depot. Pte. 28/8/16.
Embarked. 28/8/16.
Disembarked. 30/8/16.
Joined. 12th Infantry Brigade Depot. 30/8/16.
Posted. To 8th 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 30/8/16.
Joined. 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 22/9/16.
Reported. Sick. In the Field. 17/1/17.
Admitted. To 17th Field Ambulance. In the Field. 18/1/17.
Transferred. To 18th Field Ambulance. In the Field. 18/1/17.
Discharged to Unit. In the Field. 23/1/17,
Rejoined. 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 23/1/17.
Admitted. To 17th Field Ambulance. In the Field.
Transferred. To 1st C.R.S. In the Field. 12/6/17.
Discharged. To Unit. In the Field. 21/6/17.
Rejoined. 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. “C” Company. In the Field. 21/6/17.
Reported. Missing at Monchy. In the Field. 22/3/18.
Officially accepted as Prisoner of War.
Held in Peruwelz Camp, Germany.
Transferred to Altdamur Camp, Germany.
Died in captivity. 2/11/18.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 9/12/15 – 27/8/16. 262 days.
France. 28/8/16 – 2/11/18. 2 years 67 days
Total Service. 2 years 329 days.
He was awarded the 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: 22 Mar-18 - The Battalion were in the VAULX - MORCHIES line. The night passed fairly quietly. The morning of the 22nd March dawned with a heavy fog and as soon as it was light the enemy put down a very heavy barrage on the VAULX - MORCHIES line and VAULX. During the night in order to concentrate the Battalion, “B” Company had been ordered to side step to the right and get into touch with “D” Company replacing 1 Company of the SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. Advice received during the morning that this was not effected. The Officer Commanding the SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT refusing to move, as he had had no orders. At 8.30 am orders were received from Brigade for Battalion Headquarters to move to dug outs east of MARICOURT WOOD, the Commanding Officer, Adjutant and four Orderlies moved off at 9.00 am leaving the remainder to follow under Captain H. W. J. BROOKER. No dug outs could be found in the place to be occupied, so Battalion Headquarters was established at the CROSS ROADS I.4.d at 10.30 am sharing the same with the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT who had also moved. During the night of the 21st/22nd the 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT and the 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS withdrew from the VAULX - MORCHIES line to a position at I.10.0 central, their places being taken by 1 Company of the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. At 11.00 am the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT reported that the enemy had broken through the VAULX - MORCHIES line between C.28.c. 85.15 and C.28.c 40.60. An officer of the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT reported a few minutes later that the breach extended from C.28.d. 2.2 to C.27.b. 3.7 on a frontage held by 2 Companies of 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT, 1 Company of the 11th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and 1 Company 8th BORDER REGIMENT. A request was sent to the 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS and 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT to move up to cover valley from line SUNKEN ROAD I.4.c to I.3.d. Defensive flank for high ground east of VAULX WOOD regained by 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT and bombing parties sent forward to recover lost trenches. Reinforcements asked for, for left of Brigade front. At 11.40 am enemy reported massing in C.28.a.b.c.d. Officer Commanding “C” Company 11th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT reported that he had only 37 men left and that enemy were in VAULX WOOD. He was instructed to look after his left flank. 1 officer and 40 other ranks of 11th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT who had come from VAULX - MORCHIES line reported at Battalion Headquarters. At 2.00 pm “B” Company reported that they had gained some ground in bombing up the VAULX - MORCHIES line, and were continuing the bombing attack with the help of 1 officer and 60 other ranks of the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. MARICOURT WOOD and the vicinity of Battalion Headquarters were heavily shelled throughout the morning. At 2.30 pm heavy bombardment by both sides opened on the right of the Brigade front. At 3.15 pm enemy seen from Battalion Headquarters pouring into VAULX - MORCHIES line between LAGNICOURT – MARICOURT WOOD ROAD and VAULX WOOD. At 3.45 pm the breach this time was effective and the situation was becoming very grave. The withdrawal became somewhat disorderly and the enemy came rapidly through C.28 to I.4., C.29.d and MORCHIES. A Ridge in I.10.a and c was held by our Machine gunners, and troops withdrawing were collected and an orderly withdrawal instituted to the partially consolidated line in I.10 central. Up to this time only 1 man (wounded, belonging to “B” Company) of the Battalion had come back from the VAULX - MORCHIES line. At 4.30 pm the enemy brought up his light machine guns with great rapidity and was soon putting up a strong barrage with them along the valley in I.10 central and the ridges east and west of it. This valley and the heights were thickly held by troops of 25th Division. An immediate counter attack was urgently required if the VAULX - MORCHIES line was to be regained, but all the troops holding the new line had orders that they were on no account to move forward. The line ran through C.11.c, I.10.d, I.10.c and I.9.d. Eventually a number of Tanks (about 16) in the visible front came forward and under very heavy shell and Machine Gun fire advanced as far as the VAULX - MORCHIES line with most of the enemy retiring before them. This Tank attack was not supported by infantry and gradually petered out as the Tanks became casualties or used up all their ammunition. At 9.00 pm the remnants of the 3 Battalions of the Brigade were: - 1st LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT about 40 all ranks under Lieutenant Colonel F. LATHAM, D.S.O. 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT about 80 all ranks under Lieutenant C. P. BASSENTHWAITE. 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS about 40 all ranks under Captain GILES were disposed in sections of trench in valley in I.10.c with Battle Headquarters at I.10.d.10.90. The night passed quietly. Casualties, other ranks “A” Company 6 killed, 14 wounded, 46 missing, “B” Company 3 killed, 14 wounded, 83 missing, “C” Company 6 killed, 21 wounded, 49 missing, “D” Company 1 killed, 12 wounded, 113 missing. Officer casualties Lieutenant Acting Captain F. E. SHELTON killed, 2nd Lieutenant G. MANSFIELD wounded and missing, Lieutenant Acting Captain J.H. JOHN missing, Lieutenant B. C. LAWRENCE missing, 2nd Lieutenant O. C. HARPER missing, 2nd Lieutenant A. H. BAGSHAW missing, 2nd Lieutenant A. C. ANSELL missing, 2nd Lieutenant M. MILLS missing, Lieutenant Acting Captain S. T. HARTSHORNE wounded remained at duty, Captain F. TAYLOR (U.S.M.S.) wounded remained at duty.
On the 27th August 1919, Albert’s widow Emily, of Bradgate Road, Anstey, Leicestershire, was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of twenty-five shillings and five pence for herself and her two children, commensurate on the 1st September 1919.
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