No.11648, Sergeant, Albert Victor MALT M.M.
Aged 28
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Albert Victor MALT was born in 1891 (Thetford Q1-1891 4B:374), son of Henry and Agnes MALT (née LEECH). 1891 census...None of the family identified in this census. In 1881 his parents and his sister Jessie, all recorded as born in Brandon, were living at White Hart Lane, Brandon 1901 census...Aged 10, he was at Brandon Road, Weeting with his father Henry MALT [43] estate foreman; his mother Agnes [41] born Brandon; brothers William [19] a gamekeeper, Ernest [13] errand boy, John [12] and Charles [3]. All except his mother were born in Weeting. Sister Jessie was a kitchen maid at Walton Hall, Yorkshire. 1911 census...Aged 20, a domestic under gardener, he was at Clutton, Handley, Cheshire, boarding with William and Annie CRUMP and their family. He married Beatrice Emma WARREN in 1916 and they lived at 9 Thetford Road, Brandon at Manor Farm. |
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Enlisted in Whitchurch while residing in Weeton. The war diary for the 21st:- Assembly position - 21st - 3am - Coys all ready to move forward 3:40 A and B Coys leading, followed by C and D (A and C on right, B and D on left), left the PURPLE LINE 4:44 Zero hour was 4:44 am. Two sub sections 17 Coy, 3rd Bn M.G.C. were allotted to the Bn. One sub section followed behind and between A and B Coys, one subsection followed behind and between C and D Coys. Tanks to assist the Bn to get to its objective, the ARRAS-BAPAUME Rly between the level crossing in A.10.d, and SUNKEN ROAD in A.16.d were to cross the British front line at zero plus 10. At 2 am the enemy heavily gas shelled AYETTE, DOUCHY and the ground between these two villages, otherwise the night was clear above, with a good ??, but heavy ground mist. At zero the 2nd Div. attacked AERODROME tr. The enemy barrage was mainly on AYETTE which thanks to precautions was avoided, the only casualty suffered in the approach march was the C.C. "D" Coy. During the morning a very dense fog descended and movement could only be by compass. A little opposition was encountered from machine guns W of AERODOME TRENCH, these were silenced in passing. COFFEE REDOUBT offered some resistance and the right support Coy, pushing round to outflank it with one platoon lost the Coy commander and platoon officer. It was taken, but the platoon from the support Coy, No 10 platoon, afterwards lost its way and walked through COURCELLES eventually reaching the railway line (9th Bde area) still formed as a platoon and rejoined the Bn on 223rd inst. This was the only platoon that did not get its objective. The fog badly hindered the pace of the advance and by the time the Coys reached the ridge N of COURCELLES the barrage has passed over the Railway embankment. The enemy held this embankment in very considerable strength with MGs and infantry 7:30 A couple of tanks started for the railway, rapidly followed by the Coys 8:00 The final assault was with the bayonet. Posts were pushed out E of the Railway. Disposition of the Coys A and B Coys holding the embankment with posts 150 yards W of railway. C and D on forward slopes of ridge E of railway. 4 Regimental officers captured from dugout in embankment. The remainder of the day passed without incident. CWGC show 34 of the battalion killed that day, 16 with no known gave and named on the Vis en Artois memorial The Bury Free Press of 7th September 1918 reported BRANDON SERGEANT KILLED We regret to hear of another promising local solder having made the great sacrifice, this being Sergt. Albert Victor Malt, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, who has been killed in action. He was the husband of Mrs. Malt of Manor Farm, Brandon, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Malt, Post Office, Weeting. He was 28 years of age. He was awarded the Military Medal on August 5th 1916, and, having been offered a commission, he was expected home.
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