Helliwell, Albert
2661 Private Albert Helliwell - 44th Battalion AIF
Albert Helliwell was born in North Fremantle WA on the 16th February 1896 to Isaac and Rosina Helliwell. He had several siblings, Harry (1887), Ruby (1891), Roby (1893), Leonard (1898), Rosina (1900), Edgar (1902), Olive (1905), Aubery (1907), Ivy (1907), Edith (1910) and Myrtle (1913).
Albert was educated at North Fremantle Primary School and as his father was a boat builder, once Albert had left school, he followed his father into this trade.
The family lived at 35 Swan Street North Fremantle.
On the 6th September 1916 Albert enlisted into the AIF at Fremantle. He was found to be fit for service, with the medical examiner recording Albert's physical attributes as;
Height - 5 feet 6 inches tall;
Weight - 138lbs;
Chest Measurement - 33-35 inches;
Complexion - Fresh;
Eyes - Brown;
Hair - Light Brown.
Upon his successful enlistment Albert was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to the 5th Reinforcements to the 44th Battalion AIF. Albert had enlisted with his brother in law, Robert Abercromby, and they were put into the same reinforcement group.
He trained in WA until the 9th November 1916 when his transport ship the HMAT Argyllshire departed Fremantle Harbour.
After arriving in Devonport England on the 10th January 1917, Albert spent a few months training on the Salisbury Plains. It wasn't until the 13th April 1917 that he joined the 44th Battalion in France.
(Pictured below - Robert Abercromby, Albert Helliwell and Roby Helliwell)
The 44th Battalion were then situated near Ploegsteert in Southern Belgium. A week after joining the 44th Battalion Albert was wounded on the 20th April 1917.
A German shell had exploded close by, the shrapnel of which struck Albert in the thigh, knee and arm. He was taken by stretcher bearers to the 9th Field Ambulance where his wounds were initially treated. He was then sent further back to the 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station. Further treatment was given to Albert here before he was puy on an ambulance train and was sent to Wimereux where he was admitted to the 2nd Australian General Hospital.
Albert only spent a few days at the 2nd AGH before he was shipped to England. He was then admitted to the County of Middlesex War Hospital. Albert's health was improving and on the 15th May 1917 he was released from hospital and granted a two week furlough.
After this leave was finished, Albert reported into No.3 Command Depot Camp at Hurdcott. He would remain here for the next few months and his fitness would be assessed as to whether he could return to France. However for the remainder of 1917 Albert was not yet well enough to return to action.
On the 1st January 1918 Albert was put on the permanent staff at No.3 Command Depot Camp.
On the 27th May 1918 Albert was sent to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford as he was ill with venereal disease though fortunately it was only a mild case as he was only there for a few days.
On the 12th September 1918 Albert was sent to No.1 Command Depot Camp at Sutton Veny and then a week later was sent to No.4 Command Depot Camp at Hurdcott. He would now to be assigned a berth on a troopship home.
On the 9th December 1918 Albert (and also his brother Roby) boarded the transport ship Leicestershire and set sail for Australia, disembarking in Fremantle on the 15th January 1919.
Albert was discharged from the AIF on the 15th February 1919.
After the war Albert moved to Victoria and in 1932 he married Emma Holly 'Matilda' Louise Johnson. He was working in the cabinet making industry.
In 1942 his brother Len was killed in Malaya/Singapore.
During the 1940's and 50's Albert was living at Essendon Victoria.
Albert Helliwell died on the 19th November 1960 in Croydon Victoria and was buried in Springvale Cemetery.