Pte Albert Ormerod - 1st Bn, Sherwood Foresters (Notts. and Derby Regiment)

[Paul Ormerod]

Remembering today, Albert Ormerod - Private 108858 - 1st Bn, Sherwood Foresters (Notts. and Derby Regiment) – who was killed in action on 27 May 1918.

 

The Commonwealth Debt of Honour Register shows Albert as being the husband of Mary Ann Barnes (formerly Ormerod), of 15 Central St, Ramsbottom, Manchester. Earlier, Albert and Mary were resident at 28 Carr Street, Ramsbottom.

 

Albert was born in Ramsbottom, and enlisted in the army at Bury, (Ramsbottom, Lancs), in July 1916, joining 1st Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers, as Private 35712.

 

He served at Home between 14 July 1916 and 12 January 1917, and after this in France until 5 November 1917.

 

Albert's son, Ernest Joseph Ormerod, was born on 15 January 1917, days after he had departed for France.

 

After a further period at Home (from November 1917), with the Lancashire Fusiliers Depot and at Knowsley Park, Albert returned to France on 31 March 1918; and from 3 April 1918, he was posted to 1st Bn, Notts. & Derby Regiment.

 

The day on which Albert was killed in action (27 May 1918) was the first day of the German offensive on the Aisne. At this time the 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, formed part of 24th Brigade, 8th Division.

 

The Battalion War Diary records that the Battalion moved up to Roucy on 26 May 1918, leaving a detail at Ventelay. On 27 May 1918:

"1 a.m. Enemy barrage opened VENTELAY neighbourhood + transport lines gassed. About 4.30 a.m. battalion ordered forward to AISNE line. Retiring fight to MONTAGNE de GUYENCOURT. Casualties heavy + details ordered under 2nd Lieut Greaves to move up to VENTELAY about 9.30 p.m. Transport moved to wood S. of MONTIGNY + about later 11.30 p.m. to VENDEUIL."

 

Albert has no known grave, and his name is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, along with the nearly 4,000 other officers and men of the United Kingdom forces who died during the Battles of the Aisne and the Marne in 1918 and have no known grave.