Albert Edward Garner

'C' Company. Lance Corporal Alberet Garner enlisted in Nottingham and served with the 1/7th battalion Sherwoood Foresters. He went to France on 28th February 1915 and was killed on 4th November 1915 by a shell when the Battalion was at rest billets at Drouvin, France; he may have been in a working party when he was killed. He is buried in St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'Avoue

Obituaries published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 4th November 1916: GARNER. – In loving memory of our dear son, Lance-Corpl. A. E. Garner, 1/7th Sherwood Foresters, late of 8, Havelock-street, killed in action November 4th, 1915. Sleep on, dear son, in a hero's grave, a grave we may never see, but as long as life and memory last we will remember thee. It's the unknown grave that's the bitterest blow, none but aching hearts can know. – Sadly missed by his mother, father, sisters, brothers, Auntie Annie, and fiancée Elsie. “GARNER. – In loving memory of Lance-Corpl. A. E. Garner, killed in action November 4th, 1915. Ever in my thoughts. – Fiancée Elsie Above obituaries courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. Boots 'Comrades in Khaki', August 1915, 'Letters from the Front': 'Pte A Garner says: 'We have been in the trenches with a battalion of regulars and were highly praised for our work … Boots boys who are together in this battalion are G Bartles, F Arrowsmith [Sydney Frank Arrowsmith d. 1918], A Marsh, P Lakin and A Garner. The others are with the transports, scattered all over the country.' (Nottinghamshire Archives, RB.38) Boots ‘Comrades in Khaki’, December 1915, ‘The Union of Hearts’: extract, ‘The kindly acknowledgements from the boys who receive parcels make a big mail bag: and a very touching collection the letters are … Poor Pte. Garner – in the last letter he ever wrote – said: ’The parcel you so kindly sent was just all right – we needed everything that was in.’ A little later he was past the reach of human kindness altogether. (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. RB.38) Boots 'Comrades in Khaki', December 1915. Dead on the Field of Honour (photograph). 'Lance-Corp. AE Garner. Deep grief is felt by the members of the Printing Dept at the loss of Lance-Corpl Garner who had served among them since he entered the employment of Boots as a lad 13 years of age. His fine qualities had endeared him to all, and now he has made the final sacrifice for his country before reaching the age of 22, to which he would have attained on December 1st. Something of his character may be gathered from the following letter sent by his Captain to the gallant fellow's mother. '8/11/15. Dear Madam, If you have not already heard, I fear I am breaking very sad news to you, and I am deeply grieved to inform you of the death of your son, Lance-Corporal AE Garner. He was killed by a German shell last Thursday afternoon. One small comfort you may have is that he was killed instantaneously. I cannot tell how sorry I am at his loss; he was the most promising young non-commissioned officer in my company, and a personal friend of my own. His loss is sadly felt by his very many friends and comrades in the company, as by his quiet and soldierly behaviour he had endeared himself to all his officers. The ill-luck of such a death is very hard to bear. Another lance-corporal also of my company, who was walking with him at the time, was also killed. I myself was not more than a couple of yards from them, but escaped without a scratch. A doctor of the Black Watch who happened to be passing at the time, told me that death was instantaneous. He was buried by the chaplain, who read the service over him. I understand the Chaplain is going to write to you. As we have only just come to this place I cannot tell you where he is buried, but if you would care to know, I shall be able to inform you a little later on. Again please accept my sincerest sympathy in your great bereavement, And believe me, Yours faithfully, John C Warren Capt. 'C' Coy, The Robin Hoods.' L.Corpl Garner's brother JH Garner is a prisoner of war in Germany.' Note: Major John Crosby Warren MC, 7th Bn Sherwood Foresters, who wrote the above letter of condolence to Albert's mother, was killed in action on 21 March 1918 at the age of 28. (See T2T ROH)