Albert Ernest Westall ("Ern"), a farm labourer / cowman at Lane End Farm, Shinfield in Berkshire, was 28 and married with two young children when he was called up. He did not talk of his war experiences but told family he was a Stretcher Bearer.

Albert signed an oath and declaration under the Derby Scheme at Wokingham on the 10 December 1915. The oath and declaration states “You will be required to serve one day with the colours and the remainder of the period in the Army Reserve in accordance with the provisions of the Royal Warrant dated 20 October 1915, until such a time you may be called up by the Army Council”. Records show he served his one day. This was approved and Albert Ernest Westall was eventually called up to the 3/4th Battalion, the Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) at Reading on 12 February 1917.

He embarked at Southampton on 31 May 1917 and arrived at Le Havre France next day, and proceeded to assist French farmers between 8 September and 2 October 1917; work with which he was very familiar.

Rejoining for duty on 2 October 1917, he was posted to the 8th Queens on 18 February 1918.

"Ern" was granted leave to England between 25 February 1918 and 11 March 1918. He withdrew £100 from his accumulated army pay before starting his leave, a most unusual figiure which shows that he had hardly touched his army pay beforehand.

The last entry in "Ern’s" Pay Book was 16.3.18, as he was captured in the German Spring offensive, which started on 21st March 1918. Among the records is the Official Notification that Albert Ernest Westall was posted missing, dated 6 May 1918. Another notice that he was a prisoner of war was dated 7 May 1918. There is also a letter dated 21st April 1918 to the West Surrey Regiment from his wife Mrs E Westall that states she had been informed her husband was a prisoner of war.

It is not certain quite when he was captured but the 8th Queens were in the thick of fighting from 21st March onward, where they were holding positions near Le Verguier.

Albert was repatriated on 21 November 1918, and posted 3rd Queens, attached to the 56th, Fort Boy Hertford Sittingbourne) on 29 January 1919. "Ern" was finally moved to dispersal area on 5th April 1919 The Army Medical was held at Guilford, April 14, 1919 where he was declared fit. Followed by Demobilisation on 16 April 1919 and transfer to Class “17” Army Reserve on 14th May 1919. The oath and declaration signed in 1915 also states “if employed with Hospitals, depots of mounted Units, or as a clerk, etc, you may be retained after termination until your services can be spared, but no such retention shall in any case exceed six months”.

This excellent article was compiled by Mrs Kay Westall, with the research assistance of Lawrence Woodcock. If you have any information concerning "Ern's" whereabouts when he was a POW, please contact the webmaster.

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