Albert Ley
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Albert Ley was born during the third quarter 1886, he was the son of Thomas an ostler and Maria Ley née Austin and the brother of Louisa, Nellie, Maria, Ada, William and Harry Ley. In 1891 and 1901 the family lived at 16 Evelyn Street Sneinton Nottingham. His father was a fruit salesman in 1901 and a general carter in 1911. In 1911 they lived at 42 Lord Nelson Street Sneinton. His father was an ostler. Albert married Louisa Edith Sworden during the third quarter of 1911 they lived at 11 Moreland Avenue, Moreland Street, Nottingham, they had a son Norman Rothwell born 24th February 1916. Commencing 4th February 1918 his widow was awarded a pension of 18 shillings and 9 pence a week.
Driver Albert Ley enlisted in March 1916 and initially joined 3rd/1st (Reserves) Nottinghamshire Battery Royal Horse Artillery (T.F). He went to France post 1915 and served with 126th Brigade Ammunition Column, probably as part of a draft as they had been in France since July 1915. He was killed in action on 20th July 1917 and is buried at Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery.
There is some confusion as to exactly what happened on the day of his death. Men of 2nd/1st (Warwick) Battery RHA, 126th Army Field Artillery Brigade , 39th Divisional Artillery and 126th Brigade Ammunition Column were attached to 158th Army Brigade, RFA. An explosion took place which resulted in at least fifteen deaths and numerous wounded. Seven men were killed from 2nd/1st (Warwick) Battery RHA and seven from 126th Brigade Ammunition Column. Those killed on the 20th are all buried in Plot III Row G in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery. Another member of the 2nd/1st (Warwick) Battery RHA died of wounds the next day and is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. According to another source he was in a party of 50 men in a building when an enemy shell burst killing 16 and wounding 30.‘The Honourable Artillery Company in the Great War’, which covers in some detail the activities of 2A and 2B HAC Batteries RHA which also were part of 126th Army Field Artillery Brigade RFA, indicates nothing unusual occurring on 20th July 1917. A Short History of the 39th (Deptford) Divisional Artillery asserts that the artillery brigades of that unit were out of the line from the first week of July 1917 to 21st July 1917 and records no unusual activity during that period. However, another account states that on 20th July 2nd/1st (Warwick) Battery RHA were in action and that a large bomb was dropped on the battery killing 15 men and setting an ammunition dump on fire. The MC citation to Lieutenant F.W.Mellor Warwick's RHA suggests he steadied the men and enabled half the battery to carry on firing, whilst he personally helped to extinguish the ammunition fire. Second Lieutenant LL Robinson of 126th Brigade Ammunition Column was similarly rewarded. 612462 Gunner William Walters, 126th Brigade Ammunition Column, and formerly 2nd/1st (Notts) Battery, was killed in the same incident and was also from Nottingham. He is buried three graves from Albert Ley in Plot III Row G Grave 19
