A century on from the end of World War I we acknowledge their service …
Lest we forget.
Lieutenant Albert Edward Wisewould MC
Born: 16 December 1885 Numurkah. Died: 18 February 1976, Cheltenham.
Enlisted: 22 February 1916 aged 30.
Served: Western Front.
Known as Bert, he moved to Pakenham in the early 1900s and played football for the local side, regarded as one of the team’s best players in 1904. On 25 May 1918, Bert was commissioned as a Lieutenant. He was later sent to the XV Corps Infantry School. In early August 1918, Bert led his platoon into action at Lihons. He was subsequently awarded the prestigious Military Cross (MC) by King George V for his actions. The official citation read: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on Lihons on 11th August 1918. He led his platoon forward through very heavy fire and gained his objective. On reaching the brigade sector he consolidated and assisted in bombing along the trench to gain touch with the company on the left. Later, when attacked by some 80 of the enemy with bombs, supported by heavy machine gun fire, he successfully held his position with small force. He did fine work”. Bert and Annie had five children, including sons named Harold and James in honour of Bert’s dead brothers.
This is an extract from Patrick Ferry’s book A Century After The Guns Fell Silent – Remembering the Pakenham District’s WWI Diggers 1914-18.
For more details on this and other profiles in the book, head to the website www.pakenhamww1.com
