Albert Gill

Albert Gill Title

By Paul Finnegan

Albert Gill was born on 8th September 1879 in Hospital Street Birmingham^[1], the second son of Henry Gill and Sophia Gill. An older brother, Henry had been born circa 1878. Henry Senior, later known as Harry had been born in Stalybridge, Lancashire in 1856 (despite the 1881 census stating he was born in Birmingham, subsequent census returns confirm he was in fact from Lancashire) whilst Sophia had been born in Ludlow in Shropshire in 1859.

By 1881 the family had moved into an adjacent street and were lodging with the Saunders Family at Number 6, Court 28 Bridge Street West in the St Stephen’s District of Birmingham^[2]. This was a very poor area of Birmingham, near the parish boundary with Aston in the area now known as Newtown where most of the housing was back to back courts. Most residents were unskilled workers and the area was described in 1849 as having two ground floor rooms, two bedrooms and a cellar^[3]. By 1891 the family had moved a few streets away to their own accommodation at Number 5, Court 4 New John Street West. Henry had found work as a tube drawer and another son, Samuel had been born in 1889^[4]. Tube drawers were found in a number of Birmingham industries including gun making, cycles and bed frames. Both Henry Junior and Albert are described as scholars and an article by David Delderfield states that Albert attended Steward Street School in Hockley^[5].

Sophia Gill died in 1899^[6] and there is no trace of Albert on the 1901 Census. Henry Junior is lodging with the Williams family at 60 Steward Street and has followed Henry Senior as a tube drawer. Henry Senior was lodging in Monument Road, Edgbaston and coincidentally, living next door was a soldier of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, the regiment that Albert was to serve with; was this a connection? Albert joined the Army soon after leaving school and was posted to India with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He served his full time with the colours and upon finishing his service was placed on the reserve^[7]. This may explain why he does not appear on the 1901 census.

After leaving the Army Albert followed his father and brother into employment as a tube drawer with Earle, Bourne and Co Ltd of Heath Street (later Delta Metals) which at the time specialised in making bed frames. He spent six years with the company and it is reported that he began work with the General Post Office around 1907 sorting the mail at the head Post Office in Birmingham, which is where he was to meet his future wife, although this is disproved by their marriage certificate. He would later move to the Post Office in Hockley where he took the job of delivering the mail^[8].

Rosetta Furze was born in Torquay in Devon in 1883, the daughter of Richard Furze, a builder. Richard was son of Elizabeth Furze who had married a James Vinson at sea, Elizabeth already having children from a previous marriage, as had James. Albert and Rosetta were married on 4th April 1910 at St Peter’s Catholic Church, their address at the time being listed as Albert’s brother Harry’s house at 62 Steward Street. At the time of their marriage Albert was listed as a tube drawer and Rosetta as a servant^[9]. In 1911 they are living at Number 1, Back of 17 Aberdeen Street in Birmingham. Albert’s father, Henry is living with them and is still employed as a tube drawer and his entry is annotated with the words ‘bedsteads’ possibly a reference to Earle, Bourne and Co Ltd. mentioned earlier. Interestingly Albert is also listed as a tube drawer, contrary to the evidence that by this time he was employed by the Post Office^[10]. Albert’s wife Rosetta has been attributed the incorrect maiden names over the years by the misreading of documents, particularly the Commonwealth War Graves Register of Burials. She was firstly thought to be named ‘Reed’ as the entry in the Register of Soldier’s Effects gives her name, Rosetta and this is annotated ‘Rec’d’ which has incorrectly been read as Reed^[11]. In a newspaper article of November 1916 when returning from Buckingham Palace, it states she ‘was met by her father, Mr J Smith, caretaker of the Harborne Institute.’ It has been assumed that Mr J Smith is her father and thus her maiden name would be Smith as opposed to Mr J Smith being the caretaker of the Harborne Institute.^[12]

The rates book of 1911 has the couple living in Aberdeen Street and Gliddon in his account of Albert Gill states that in 1912 the family visited Australia and two of his three children were to die in infancy^[13]. A son was born to the couple, Henry in early 1914^[14] and this birth was registered in Birmingham so it is possible another child may have been born in Australia. Upon their return to Birmingham they moved into Number 2, back of Court 14 in Cope Street, Spring Hill.

Great Britain entered the Great War on 4th August 1914 and as a former soldier and being on the Army reserve, Albert Gill was recalled to the colours with the 1st Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC). The Battalion was under the command of 6th Brigade in the 2nd Division and was one of the first formations to move out to France, landing at Rouen on 13th August 1914^[15]. Albert Gill was not amongst this initial wave; his medal card shows that he did not arrive in France until 9th November 1914^[16]. The Battalion was placed in 1 Corps under Douglas Haig and arrived in time for the closing stages of the First Battle of Ypres. Although in the sector which took part in the famous Christmas Truce of 1914, there is no evidence to suggest that Albert or his Battalion took part. Early in 1915, Albert would have received news that his son Henry had died^[17]. Albert’s brother Henry was also to join up. He served with 1/4th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment and on 15th August 1915 took part in the ill-fated landing at Suvla Bay as part of the Gallipoli Campaign. He was wounded and evacuated to Hospital in Egypt^[18]

In 1915 the KRRC took part in two major operations. On 9th May an attack was launched on Aubers Ridge in the Artois area near the French/Belgian border. The attack was to support the French attack on Vimy Ridge. The 2nd Division were held in reserve and were not called upon until 5pm to help relieve 1st Division and prepare for a bayonet attack at 8pm. In the event this attack was cancelled as it was decided that there were not sufficient shells for the attack to be effectively supported by artillery barrage. After making little headway it was decided to alter the focus of the attack towards the south and on 13th May 1915 the Battle of Festubert commenced^[19].

The battle started with an artillery barrage and it wasn’t until 11.30pm on 15th May that the first infantry moved out of their trenches. It was reported that 1st KRRC took their objectives on the left of the attack with few casualties. There then followed nine days of intensive fighting where British troops, supported by Indian and Canadian troops gained some of their objectives but largely the battle ended in stalemate. One important outcome of the battle was that it highlighted that the Army was desperately short of artillery shells. This lead to the fall of the Liberal Government under Asquith and the formation of a coalition Government with David Lloyd George being given the post of Minister of Munitions^[20].

In September, the French commander Joffre renewed his offensive in the Artois area. The French army had received some 200,000 reinforcements and he wanted to attack the German lines currently dug in on French soil whilst he had the numerical advantage. The British commanders agreed to support the French offensive in the area of the mining town of Loos. The 2nd Division were attached to 1 Corps under Lieutenant-General Hubert Gough, part of Haig’s First Army. Over 7,000 men were to lose their lives during the Battle of Loos and it was to see the first use of Kitchener’s New Army, those raised at home to support the regular troops. One of the key factors in the failure to break the German line was the insufficient artillery barrage, which failed to cut enough German wire or destroy enough strongpoints and machine gun positions to enable a breakthrough. Following the battle, Haig replaced Sir John French as Commander in Chief of British Forces^[21].

At this time in Birmingham, many industries had been turned over to war work to support the traditional armaments manufacturers such as the Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) in Small Heath. One important weapon of war to come from Birmingham was the Mills bomb hand grenade and it would later be said the Great War was a battle between Birmingham and the giant German manufacturer Krupps. As men had signed up for the front, there was a shortage of labour engaged in war work and whilst some of these vacancies were filled by the recent influx of Belgian refugees, there still existed a gap in the labour force. It was at this time that Britain and in particular Birmingham turned to women to work in the factories and undertake other roles usually the domain of men such as tram drivers. This would be a feature of British domestic life until the end of the war when most women had to give up their jobs so that men returning from the front could be accommodated.

On 13th December 1915 the 1st KRRC was transferred to 99th Brigade but remained part of 2nd Division. On 21st February 1916 the German Army attacked the French at Verdun where in the words of German commander Erich Von Falkenhayn they intended to ‘bleed France white’. This was countered by the French commander Petain’s statement that ‘you will not let them pass’. The battle did indeed use up enormous amounts of French resources and an approach was made to the British to launch an attack which would divert German forces away from Verdun. The British agreed and plans were drawn up for a summer offensive in the area of the Somme valley.

The Battle of the Somme was not one battle but a series of battles or phases fought along a continuous front with different objectives. The KRRC, as part of 2nd Division were attached to XIII Corps, 4th Army under General Rawlinson. Although it is recognised that The Battle of the Somme commenced on 1st July 1916 the KRRC were not called upon until 15th July 1916 when they were to take part in what became known as the Battle of Delville Wood. Delville Wood itself borders the village of Longueval and is approximately seven miles east of the French town of Albert.

On 1st July 1916 the battalion were camped at Camblain L’Abbe in the Artois area of France and on 2nd July the Unit War Diary records the sound of a ‘terrific bombardment as part of the big push to support the French’. Whilst the opening battles of the Somme offensive raged, the Unit War diary for 3rd July records that ‘ten percent of the battalion attended the 23rd Royal Fusiliers sports day’ On 8th July it is recorded that ‘the officers played the sergeants at rounders.’ Albert had been promoted to sergeant by this time and would probably have taken part in the game. On 10th July the battalion moved to the Berthonval Section and it was reported that a sentry was killed by machine gun fire. The battalion was withdrawn from the front line on 13th July and advised that they themselves were to be relieved and moved to another section of the line. The battalion billeted at Hermin and awaited their orders. On 20th July they were ordered to move out and on 21st July arrived at Morlancourt. The War Diary records that ‘the whole countryside in the rear of our trenches is a mass of troops, cavalry and infantry.’ The next days were used to train for the forthcoming attack and on 23rd July they learn that they were to be moved into the front line to attack along a front running from Longueval to Waterlot Farm, which includes the southern section of Delville Wood^[22].

On the morning of 27th July 1916, the 1st Battalion KRRC were to attack with the 23rd Royal Fusiliers on their left. They advanced as the artillery bombardment lifted to the next line of attack but the advance was hampered by the undergrowth and rifle fire from the German trenches. The first objective, known as Princes Street trench was taken with few casualties and Albert Gill was in the supporting company who passed through the first wave of attackers and on to the edge of the wood. ‘A’ Company, to which Albert belonged, had suffered a high number of casualties including all of their bombing section, the name given to teams specially trained in the use of hand grenades. At around 9.00am the Germans launched a counter attack and managed to pin down the British troops in the wood. The undergrowth aided the snipers and there was a distinct possibility that a gap which had developed between the KRRC and the 23rd Royal Fusiliers would lead to the Battalion being cut off^[23]. It was at this time that the actions of Albert Gill were to result in his death. He organised his men into bombing parties and then, as the location of the enemy snipers was unknown, he stood up to draw their fire so that he could direct the fire of his men to the enemy. Albert was hit almost immediately but his actions ensured that the German counter attack was repulsed and Delville Wood was taken later that day. At the end of the battle the KRRC had suffered 14 officers and 308 other ranks killed or wounded^[24].

On 10th August 1916, Albert’s Company Commander, Captain Stafford wrote to Rosetta Gill about her husband and the manner of his death ‘Your husband was shot through the head and must have died at once. He would have known nothing about it. He was one of the most valued men in my company, a man whom anyone would be proud to call friend. He was loved by his platoon, of which I am sorry to say only four or five men remain. You should be justly proud of your husband in his life and death. He had one of the finest natures I have ever known. No words of mine can express my sympathy with you in your terrible sorrow^[25].

On 26th October 1916, the supplement to the London Gazette carried a list of men who, for their bravery in the face of the enemy had been awarded the Victoria Cross, one of these entries read: No. 2815 Serjeant Albert Gill, Late King’s Royal Rifle Corps. For most conspicuous bravery. The enemy made a very strong counter-attack on the right flank of the battalion and rushed the bombing post after killing all the company bombers. Serjeant Gill at once rallied the remnants of his platoon, none of whom were skilled bombers and reorganised his defences, a most difficult and dangerous task, the trench being very shallow and much damaged. Soon afterwards the enemy nearly surrounded his men by creeping up through the thick undergrowth and commenced sniping at about twenty yards range. Although it was almost certain death, Serjeant Gill stood boldly up in order to direct the fire of his men. He was killed almost at once but not before he had shown his men where the enemy were, and thus enabled them to hold up their advance. By his supreme devotion to duty and self-sacrifice he saved a very dangerous situation^[26].

News of the award reached his battalion on 27th October 1916, the Unit War Diary recording ‘The Times of today contained the announcement that the Victoria Cross had been awarded to the late Serjeant Albert Gill of this battalion for conspicuous gallantry during the fight in Delville Wood^[27].’

In Birmingham the news was announced in The Birmingham Post; ‘included in yesterday’s list of fifteen officers and men awarded the Victoria Cross was the name of yet another Birmingham man, Sergeant Albert Gill, late of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, who sacrificed his life in the defence of a trench against a German attack^[28].’ On the same day, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Neville Chamberlain, wrote a personal letter to Mrs Gill in which he said ‘Dear Madam, it is with great gratification that I have heard of the award of the Victoria Cross to your late husband for the heroic deed which is described in the paper today. I deeply regret that your husband lost his life in the performance of his duty, but his memory will be held in the greatest honour by his fellow citizens and will serve as an example to those who come after him^[29].’ The Birmingham Gazette of 28th October 1916 carried an article that included the reaction of Albert’s father to his son’s death: ‘Sergeant Gill’s father, Mr Harry Gill who lodges at 3, back of 24 Dugdale Street, was the recipient of many congratulations yesterday. I knew Albert would do something of the sort. He was a real soldier and a good fighter. He was always a good son and I think I would rather it was as it is than he should come back with some of his limbs off and be a cripple for the rest of his life^[30].’

In November 1916, Rosetta Gill was invited to Buckingham Palace by the King. The report in the Birmingham Mail read ‘A Birmingham woman, the widow of a VC hero, is to journey to Buckingham Palace next week to receive the highest distinction that bravery can win on the battlefield. The King’s Birmingham guest is Mrs Gill of 2, back of Cope Street, Ladywood. The Royal call to Mrs Gill to receive the reward for her husband’s gallantry came in the form of a telegram asking her if she could attend Buckingham Palace at 10.30am on 29 November. Mrs Gill has replied in the affirmative, and a warrant for her return fare will be sent to her this week^[31]. The Mail also covered her visit to the Palace and commented on her return ‘Mrs Gill, who returned to Birmingham by the train reaching New Street Station at 4.35, was accompanied by Miss Daisy Burgess, a fellow employee at the General Post Office.’ Mrs Gill said the King spoke most kindly and whilst he was pleased to present it to her, he was sorry that her husband had not lived to receive it. His Majesty, she added, asked her whether she had any children, and on learning that both were dead, expressed his sorrow, remarking that the children would have been a comfort to her in the grief she had sustained through the loss of her husband^[32].

On 5th December 1916 Birmingham City Council voted to bestow another honour on Albert Gill. The Lord Mayor Neville Chamberlain proposed that ‘this Council records its profound admiration of the gallantry and self-sacrifice displayed by the late Sergeant Albert Gill, V.C. a citizen of Birmingham, who gave his life for his comrades, and by his death showed a great example to others; and that a copy of the resolution be engrossed and framed and handed to Mrs Gill, his widow, with an expression of sympathy of the Council with her in her bereavement^[33].’ Albert Gill was the fourth man from Birmingham to have been decorated with the Victoria Cross but his was the first posthumous award and as such was the first man not to have received this honour in person. The Lord Mayor felt that this should not deter them from carrying on the practice of honouring the V.C. winners from the city. Rosetta Gill received the honour on 12th February 1917 and the press reported ‘The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour, yesterday presented to Mrs Gill, the widow of Sergeant Albert Gill, V.C., formerly of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, the engrossed resolution passed by the City Council expressing admiration of the sergeant’s conspicuous bravery. The Lord Mayor was accompanied by the Town Clerk (Mr. Beaumont Jones), who read the terms of the resolution^[34].’

Albert Gill was buried not far from where he fell but following the Armistice in 1918, work began on a larger cemetery where all of the graves in the Delville Wood area could be concentrated to make maintenance easier. He is buried in Plot 4, Row C, Grave 3 at the Delville Wood Cemetery. His headstone is adorned with a carving of the Victoria Cross in keeping with all those who won the award. The engraving at the base of the gravestone reads ‘Peace Perfect Peace’ and was added at the request of his brother Harry Gill of 62 Steward Street, Spring Hill, Birmingham^[35].

In Birmingham itself the memory of Albert Gill is maintained by two memorials. Firstly, a memorial was erected to the workers from the Post Office Hockley Distribution Centre in the form of a bronze plaque inscribed with the names of the fallen. A photograph of Albert Gill can be found above the memorial. The second memorial is an inscription on his brother Harry’s grave in Warstone Lane Cemetery. It reads ‘In loving memory of my dear husband Harry Gill who died December 8th 1947 aged 69. Also, brother Sergeant Albert Gill V.C., killed in action July 27th 1916’’.

Following Albert’s death, Rosetta received the payment of his effects to the total of £12 and 10 shillings (worth approx. £1148 today). On 15th December 1919 she received a war gratuity of £14.00 (worth approx. £710 today.)^[36] Rosetta died in 1925 and Albert’s Victoria Cross is now part of the Lord Ashcroft VC Collection held at the Imperial War Museum in London. It was purchased at auction along with his other medals on 29th March 2000 for £60,000^[37].

^[1] GRO Births 1879 Dec 6d 142.

^[2] Census Enumerators book 1881 PRO RG11/2994/32/17

^[3] Rawlinson R, Report to the General Board of Health…on the Borough of Birmingham (1849).

^[4] Census Enumerators Book 1891 PRO RG12/2389/57/10

^[5] www.docstoc.com/sergeant_a_j_gill_v_c accessed 2nd October 2014.

^[6] GRO Deaths 1899 Sept 6d 153

^[7] Birmingham Gazette, 28th October 1916, Page 5.

^[8]www.docstoc.com/sergeant_albert_j_gill_v_c accessed 2nd October 2014

^[9] GRO Marriages 1910 Jun 6d 145

^[10] Census Enumerators Book 1911 Rg14/18028.

^[11] UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929.

^[12] Birmingham Mail 29th November 1916.