Albert Edward Hiley was born in Sheffield in 1897. His father William Henry was a Sheet Steel Roller and he had 5 brothers including Ernest. In 1911 Albert was working as an Errand Lad.
He joined the York and Lancaster Regiment 8th Battalion. 1st July 1916 marked the start of the Battle of the Somme and the 8th Battalion began its assault near the village of Ovillers. Immediately after leaving their trenches they came under heavy machine gun fire and most of the men were killed or wounded. Only 68 out of 680 men returned and the Battalion had effectively ceased to exist. Albert was one of those killed in action.
His younger brother Ernest had been killed near Ypres in Belgium the previous November.
Albert was buried at Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood, near Albert in northern France.
Albert was buried at Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood, near Albert in northern France.
Alexander Hiley made a cycle trip to Blighty Valley to visit Albert's grave, almost 104 years to the day since his death. Some of his photos are shown below.
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