Name
Albert Edward Halsey
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/07/1918
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
51631
Lincolnshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
AVESNES-SUR-HELPE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
D. 18.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, St Luke's Church Memorial, Bishops Hatfield
Pre War
Son of Henry. J. and Mrs. Mahalah Halsey, later of 12, Grace Mead, New Town, Hatfield, Herts.
In the 1891 Census, Albert was recorded as aged 2 and living with his parents in Park Street, Hatfield, appearing to be an only child. His father was working as a points shunter for G.N.R. By 1901 the family were living at Chapmans Terrace, Hatfield. His Father was now a railway foreman points shunter. Albert’s older brother Robert was not present.
By 1911 census: Albert, was boarding at Kenwyn House, Bedmont Rd. Cheam Surrey and working as a boot repairer.
Officially recorded as born in Hatfield and enlisted in St Albans.
Wartime Service
Albert was originally Private 26840 in the Bedfordshire Regiment and at some point was transferred to the Lincolnshire Regiment as Private 51631.
Died as a prisoner of war in Avesnes Hospital.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of April 1916, in the twentieth list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: “Halsey, Albert E. Gracemead Cottages, 3rd Beds. Regiment.” Then in July 1918: “Prisoner in Germany Albert Edward Halsey 1st Lincolnshire Regt.” Then unfortunately by February 1919: “It is with great regret that we announce the death from pneumonia of Pte. Albert E. Halsey 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regt. Son of Mr H J Halsey of Gracemead, who died as a P.O.W at Avesnes Hospital in Germany, on 5th July 1918 age 30. He was captured in the big German push of April and nothing could be heard of him till the middle of January, when the sad news of his death reached his parents through the Red Cross. There is a particular poignancy in the death of those who have died in an enemy country, without the means of communication with their friends, and the widest symphony is felt for Mr and Mrs Halsey and family."
In a correct the Bishops Hatfield Parish Magazine of March 1919, added “Correction. ....it was thro’ the efforts of Lady Salisbury, not thro’ the Red Cross that the news first reached the family.”
Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Additional Information
Albert is also commemorated on his family’s grave in Bishop's Hatfield (St. Luke) Churchyard. His part of the inscription is readable, but unfortunately much of the rest is not:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
A. E. HALSEY. BELOVED SON OF H. J. & M. HALSEY WHO DIED WHILE PRISONER OF WAR AT AVESNES HOSPITAL. JULY 5TH 1918, AGED 30 YEARS.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Halsey (Mother) of 12 Gracemead Cottages received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
