Cornish, Albert Edward

1010 Trooper Albert Edward Cornish - 10th Light Horse Regiment

Albert Edward Cornish was born in Australind WA in 1876 to Andrew and Margaret Cornish. He had six siblings, Gordon 1878, John 1880, Frank 1882, Charles 1885, Elvey 1887 and Ivy 1890.

The family moved to Pinjarra shortly after Albert's birth and then moved up to Fremantle, residing at 52 Russell Street (later renumbered to 2 Russell St).

He was educated in Fremantle and after leaving school he took up work with horses. He served for four years with the Fremantle Mounted Infantry which then became A Squadron of the 18th Light Horse Regiment.

Albert went to the countryside where he became a stockhand on an outback station.

Albert's father died in Perth in 1914.

On the 5th February 1915 Albert enlisted for service in Broome WA. He was passed as fit for service, with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 11 & 1/2 inches tall;

Weight - 177lbs;

Chest Measurement - 38-40 inches;

Complexion - Fair;

Eyes - Light Blue;

Hair - Fair.

After his successful enlistment Albert was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp. As he wanted to serve in the Light Horse, he was put through a test of his riding skills. He passed these and was sent to the 2nd Depot Squadron for further training.

On the 16th April 1915 Albert was attached to the 6th Reinforcements to the 10th Light Horse Regiment. He trained with this group in WA for the next two months while they waited for their embarkation orders to arrive. These finally came through and on the 25th June 1915 Albert and his group entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Karoola and set sail for Egypt.

They arrived in Egypt towards the end of July 1915 and the men were disembarked and sent into camp. Some men were sent onto Gallipoli straight away however Albert had around two months in Egypt as he had been detailed to help looking after the horses.

However in late September 1915, he departed from Egypt and was sent to Gallipoli, arriving on the 2nd October 1915. He joined the 10th Light Horse Regiment at Rhododendron Spur but Albert only had three days with his Regiment in the line for on the 5th October 1915 he was wounded in the face by shrapnel.

He was initially treated at the 3rd Australian Light Horse Field Ambulance and was then sent to the 16th Casualty Clearing Station which was situated near the beach.

The following day he was taken by hospital ship to Mudros. He had further treatment here but was then shipped on to England. After his arrival in England, Albert was sent to Hampstead Military Hospital in London. The wound Albert received at Gallipoli was severe as he was a patient here from the 28th October 1915 to the 18th April 1916.

He was then transferred to Abbey Wood Military Hospital. He had a few more weeks here but was then assigned a transport ship home. On the 8th May 1916 Albert boarded the HMAT Themistocles which brought him back to Australia, arriving at Fremantle on the 19th June 1916.

Albert was sent to No.8 Australian General Hospital in South Terrace Fremantle for a medical examination and further treatment. He was discharged from the AIF on the 15th August 1916.

After his discharge, Albert returned to the family home at 52 Russel street Fremantle and found employment as a contractor. 

He then moved to Hammersley Road in Subiaco for a few years before moving to Balcatta in 1925.

His mother died in Fremantle in 1926 and he then returned home to Russell Street.

in 1941 Albert married in Fremantle to Carma Nagel. They then resided in Mt Lawley.

Albert Cornish died in Mt Lawley on the 27th August 1959 aged 82. He was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery.