The Wheel for 30 days treatment. Once fit, he was drafted back to France on 8th March and on 28th May, he was posted to 5th Trench Mortar Battery, a unit that suffered heavy losses. On 29th August he transferred to the 61st Trench Mortar Battery and then on 25th October was promoted to Bombardier. Records show that Albert returned to England a few days after his promotion to marry Agnes Banks in Surrey, the pair welcomed their first child, James, the month prior. After a short leave to celebrate his wedding, Albert returned to the front and was admitted to the 20th Casualty Clearing Station and two days later, to the 11th General Hospital before being evacuated once more to Southampton. The initial diagnosis was Meloncholia but was later changed to Stress of Campaign, which became commonly known as Shell Shock. These days, such symptoms would be treated as being Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Albert spent
SWALLOW’s CHRISTMAS LUNCH Members of SWALLOW Charity are looking
forward to the festive season, they have already started baking Christmas cakes and making jams and chutneys for the Christmas Hampers that will be on sale in November. And in the SWALLOW Community Café at St Nicholas Church Rooms they will be serving Christmas lunch from 23rd November to 16th December 2021. SWALLOW is a local charity providing support to teenagers and adults with learning disabilities. All the money raised through sales will go to support their work. If you would like any more information about the work of SWALLOW or how you can get involved, please contact fundraising@swallowcharity. org or ring 01761 414034 and ask for Nicky.
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four days in the hospital at Southampton before being sent to Napsbury War Hospital in St Albans after his condition weakened. He was medically discharged from the army on 15th April 1916 and was admitted into civilian care at Wells Asylum, where it is noted he was treated for delusional insanity. Albert died the following March and was buried at St Nicholas Churchyard in Radstock. Although commemorated on the Radstock Town War Memorial, St Nicholas’ Church and in the Somerset Book of Honour, Albert is not listed on the Common Wealth War Graves Commissions database or on the list of soldiers who died in the Great War, which is the official casualty list. This Remembrance Day, be sure to spare a thought for Albert and those like him. Lest we forget.