Foley, Albert

2150 Private Albert Foley - 28th Battalion AIF

Albert Foley was born in Port Melbourne Victoria on the 26th January 1893 to William and Mary Foley.

The family came across to Western Australia in the 1900's and took up residence in Fremantle. They were living at 176 Mandurah Road South Fremantle.

Albert finished his education in Fremantle and after leaving school he took up work as a Printer but also worked for the Fire Brigade in Fremantle.

On the 15th July 1915 Albert enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was found to be fit for enlistment, with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 5 inches tall;

Weight - 123lbs;

Chest Measurement - 35-38 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - Fair.

Upon his successful enlistment Albert was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to No.17 Training Depot. He was taken through the basics of infantry work at this camp and on the 16th August 1915 was transferred to the 4th Reinforcements to the 28th Battalion.

Albert trained with this group for the next six weeks and on the 1st October 1915 entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship Hororata. This ship then set sail for Egypt where they arrived towards the end of October.

Albert was not sent to Gallipoli to join the 28th Battalion but was instead retained in the reinforcement camp in Egypt. When the Australians were evacuated from Gallipoli in December 1915, the units then returned to Egypt. The 28th Battalion arrived back in January 1916 and after their return Albert was taken on strength.

He trained with them in Egypt for the next two months. On the 16th March 1916 Albert embarked with the 28th Battalion from Alexandria Egypt and proceeded to France, arriving at Marseilles on the 21st June 1916.

After arriving at Marseilles the men were entrained north for the Armentieres sector of the Western Front. They would have their first experience of the Western Front in this sector. Keen to explore his surroundings, Albert went absent without leave for a day.

Fortunately he had an understanding Platoon Officer as on his return he was only admonished and not fined or given field punishment.

The 28th Battalion spent from April to June 1916 in the Armentieres sector. On the 1st June 1916 while they were in the trenches at Bois Grenier, they were being heavily shelled by German artillery and Albert was hit by shrapnel through his arm.

After treatment at the 6th Field Ambulance Albert was sent to hospital in the French town on Wimereux. He only stayed there for a few days as on the 7th June he was shipped to England.

On arrival Albert was sent to the County of London War Hospital in Epsom where he spent nearly six weeks on treatment and recovery. On the 18th August 1916 he was then transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield. He only spent a few days here and was then given a two week furlough.

Due to his arm wound, the medical authorities recommended that Albert be sent home to Australia. After his furlough was over Albert reported into No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth and would wait here while a transport back to Australia was arranged.

On the 12th November 1916 Albert went to Portland Harbour and boarded the transport ship Wiltshire. This ship then brought him back to Australia, arriving at Fremantle on the 31st December 1916.

Albert was then disembarked and was sent to No.8 Australian General Hospital in South Terrace Fremantle for more treatment. He would stay here for a few more months of treatment but fortunately the hospital was just down the road from his house.

He was discharged from the AIF on the 4th July 1917 and was then granted a pension of 60/- per fortnight.

He then returned home to his parents house at Attfield Street Fremantle.

In 1918 Albert married Daphne Isabel Waddell at St Patrick's Church Fremantle and they would have a daughter Doreen born in 1919, followed by Albert in 1922, Jack in 1923 and Gwyneth in 1925.

During the 1930's the family lived at Yeovil Crescent Bicton/East Fremantle

During World War Two, Albert again offered his services, this time serving with the Royal Australian Navy. (F2871) He was utilised as a Steward and served from November 1939. After a few months at Cerberus in Victoria Albert was sent to HMAS Westralia during 1940. In January 1941 he was sent to HMAS Leeuwin and remained here till 1943. It appears he was then discharged.

Albert died on the 31st October 1963 aged 70. He was buried in Fremantle Cemetery plot Roman Catholic Mon C3 0717