Lives of the First World War

EARLY LIFE Walter Albinson was born in Macclesfield on 8th August 1893, the son of Sarah Ann Albinson and brother of Joseph, James and Fanny Albinson. The family was in the Macclesfield Union Workhouse in Prestbury Road at the time of the 1901 census, where Sarah Ann was described as a widowed charwoman. By 1911 the family had moved to 2 Rodney Street, Macclesfield and Walter’s occupation was ‘wire coverer’. Walter attested in Macclesfield on 3rd July 1911 and was placed in the Special Reserve 3rd Battalion. Army medical records state that Walter was 5 feet 3½ inches tall, weighed 110lbs and had a chest measurement of 33 inches; he had grey eyes and light brown hair and his religion was Wesleyan. His former employer, Mr P. Davenport of Bridge Street, Macclesfield, provided a character reference. WW1 SERVICE Walter was mobilised on 8th August 1914, transferred to the 1st Battalion Cheshire’s on 18th December 1914 and embarked for France on the same date. The men of the 1st Battalion were drafted to an area of the Ypres Salient where the Germans first used gas as a weapon, Gravenstafel on 23rd/24th April 1915. The 1st Battalion was in a line to the north of Hill 60, ready to fall back to Zwartelen Switch should the situation develop unfavourably. Hill 60 was a small piece of rising ground some 1500 yards from Zillebeke and north of the Ypres-Courtrai railway. This was the time of the battle for St Julien, between 24th April to 4th May. Walter was killed in action on 29th April 1915, aged 22 years. Walter’s personal effects were sent to his brother Mr Joseph Albinson of 39 Old Park Lane, Macclesfield. COMMEMORATION Private Walter Albinson has no known grave and he is commemorated on Panel 19–22 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission holds casualty details for Private Walter Albinson. In Macclesfield, Private Walter Albinson is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall and St Michael’s Church memorials.

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