Name
Albert Presland (poss Preseland)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
12/03/1915
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4/6473
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 10 and 11.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
St May the Virgin Church Plaque, Clothall
Pre War
Albert was born in Clothall in 1891 (baptised on 7 Feb 1892) the son of John Presland, a labourer, and Roberta (nee Bishop).
On the 1901 Census Albert was living at Hickman’s Hill, Clothall with his father and stepmother Ada. Albert’s mother Roberta had died in 1897 and his father had married again in 1900 to Ada Clark. On the 1911 Census Albert was recorded at Hertford with 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. (His service number was issued around 1910.) Albert’s family father, stepmother and his half brothers Edward J, William George and half sister Florence were living at Hickman’s Hill, Cothall.
Wartime Service
Albert was already serving with 4th Bedfords and transferred to 2nd Battalion but since no service record was found the date of transfer cannot be confirmed. As Albert was awarded a 1914 Star it can be assumed he was in France or Belgium in Oct /Nov 1914 which would tally with the arrival of 2nd Bedfords at Zeebrugge on 7 Oct 1914. They were in contact with German Forces on 18 Oct 1914 as they were attempting to link up with the rest of the B.E.F. and deployed at Ypres taking part in The Battles of 1st Ypres (1914).
In March, 2nd (1915) Bedfords were in the front line at Neuve Chapelle when they were engaged in fighting on 12 March to retake a salient which had been lost to the Germans. A total of 15 Killed 66 wounded and 15 missing were recorded that day, Albert was one of the killed.
His remains were not recovered and He is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £8 6s 5d paid to Father John and Stepmother Ada.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
