Pte 406183 Albert French

• Age: 20
• From: Bury
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W. Saturday 15th March 1919
• Commemorated at: Bury Cemetery Redvales
  Panel Ref: A.P.11.286

Albert was born on 07th October 1898 the son of  Frederick William French and his wife and Charity (nee Knight) who married in Bury in 1894. His father was born in Bury, whilst his mother was born in Peterborough, Huntingdonshire. Albert was their only surviving child as  his older brother Frederick William and younger brother Harold died in infancy. He was baptised in St. Paul’s Church, Bury, on 6th November 1898. His parents were  living at 11 Chesham New Road, Bury and his father’s occupation is shown as a paper finisher. 

The 1901  Census shows the family are living at 31 Deal Street, Bury. His father is shown as a callenderman (sic) in paper mill. Albert is 2, Harold is 8 months old and sadly died not long afterwards. Also living at the property is his widowed paternal grandmother. 

By 1911 Albert is still living with his parents as well as his aunt, Emily Knight, at 31 Deal Street, Bury. His father is still a callenderman in a paper mill. Albert now aged 12 is at school. 

He originally enlisted in late 1916 or early 1917 when he was 18 years old, joining the Lancashire Hussars as Private 406183. He was transferred to the 18th Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 406183. The medal roll shows service overseas with only the 18th Bn. K.L.R.

He was captured at Ham and taken as a  Prisoner of War on 23rd March 1918. He was held at Merseburg and Stendal POW camps. At Merseburg many of the prisoners were put to work on construction sites outside the camp. His name appeared on the Weekly Casualty List on 21st January 1919,  as one of the POW's released, and he arrived home in England.

Sadly, Albert died on 15th March 1919 just weeks after his arrival home, he was 20 years of age and now rests at Bury (Redvales) Cemetery where his headstones bears the epitaph:

"I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT"  

There are 143 burials from the First World War in the Cemetery.

Soldiers Effects to mother Charity, Pension of 5 shillings a week to father Frederick William and Charity, including a War Gratuity of £11.

His mother died in 1927, aged 61 and his father remarried the following year.

In 1939 his father Frederick, then 70 and retired, lived in  Butterworth Street, Radcliffe with his second wife.

He lived to the age of 91and died in 1961.

Sadly, Albert has not been identified on any local memorial.

We currently have no further information on Albert French. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.