Company Sergeant Major Albert George Avery DCM
240639 2/5th East Lancashire Regiment.
Died of Pneumonia 12th November 1918 in Manchester. Aged 30.
Albert was the son of Emily she being named as a widow on the 1891 census. They were living at Clifton Square furnished apartments (near Calder Vale Road). Also on the census we find his brother Thomas aged 8. In the 1901 census the family had moved to 72 Gallows St. Albert married Margaret Feeney in the March quarter in Burnley.
The 1911 census finds his family, Albert aged 22, a Miller’s labourer, Margaret 25, Albert George junior1 and Thomas Arthur 6 months, living at 18 Talbot St., along with his Mother, Emily and George Radcliffe a lodger.
From the Burnley News dated 7th Sept 1918: DEEDS OF HEROISM. MEDALS FOR BURNLEY, PADIHAM AND SABDEN MEN.
It is officially announced that the DCM has been awarded to Company Sergeant Major A G Avery (East Lancashire Regiment) of Burnley; Company Sergeant Major T Alderson (West Yorkshire Regiment) of Padiham; and Corporal W Beckett (East Lancashire Regiment) of Sabden.
CSM Avery collected a party of 50 men and, leading them forward through heavy shell and machine gun fire, reinforced a front line at a time of urgent need. During 7 Days of continued fighting, and until he was wounded, he showed the greatest courage and determination and set a magnificent example to his Men.
From the Burnley Express dated 7th Sept. 1918: DCM for Burnley N C O.
In the list published on Thursday of men to whom the DCM has been awarded appears the following:
240639 Q.S.M. A. G. Avery East Lancs. Regt. of Burnley. He collected a party of 50 men and, leading them forward through heavy shell and machine gun fire, reinforced a front line at a time of urgent need. During 7 Days of continued fighting, and until he was wounded, he showed the greatest courage and determination and set a magnificent example to his Men.
From the Burnley Express dated 14th Sept. 1918: HIS WELCOME REINFORCEMENTS. HOW A SERGEANT MAJOR WON DCM.
The DCM has been conferred upon company sergeant major A G Avery whose home address is 38 Towneley Street Burnley. He joined up in 1914 being previously a weaver at Mason West and Bathers Harle Syke. One brother is serving in France. The following is a record of the gallantry for which the DCM was awarded: 240639 CSM AG Avery East Lancashire Regiment Burnley. He collected a party of 50 men and leading them forward through heavy shell and machine gun fire, he reinforced a front line at a time when reinforcements were urgently needed. During 7 Days of continued fighting and until he was wounded, he showed the greatest courage and determination and set a magnificent example to his Men.
From the Burnley Express dated 16th Oct. 1918: BURNLEY MAN'S D.C.M. - THE MAYOR AND AN ARMISTICE.
On September 14th we published a photo and particulars of the winning of the D.C.M, by company sergeant major A G Avery, East Lancashire Regiment, whose home is at 38 Towneley Street Burnley. During an interval at the second house at the Palace Theatre on Saturday night, the mayor aldermen Sinclair, who was accompanied by the mayor elect aldermen are Hargreaves, presented the medal to Avery. The medal was awarded for the following conspicuous acts of gallantry: "on March 21st last, during a heavy German offensive in front of Harbonniers, Company S M Avery collected 50 men, and lead them up the line under very heavy shell and machine gun fire, reinforcing the line at a very critical moment. He was in action for the all of 9 Days up to being wounded on March 29. By his courageous act he set a magnificent example to his Men.
The mayor expressed his Delight at again being privileged to present the D.C.M. to a brave soldier. The pleasure was increased on that occasion, he said because of the excellent auspices under which they were met. All was going well for the allies. At last they had got the Hun on the run. And he hoped and had no doubt that they were determined to keep him so occupied. The enemy, as they all new, was crying out for an armistice. He, The Mayor, did not think that anybody believed he would get anything of the kind. They could trust Marshal Foch and Marshal Sir Douglas Haig to see to that. He had no doubt that the government of the allied powers would consult with the soldiers in the field before granting the Germans anything in the nature of an armistice. The only thing I hope that will be listened to said alderman Sinclair will be an unconditional surrender. (applause). The Right Honourable A J Balfour, who has their knew, was not as a rule given to speaking in strong terms, said the Hun was a brute when he started the war, and he still remained a brute. He was sure they all agreed with Mr Balfour description of the Hun, and hoped that he would be treated as such and made to pay for the misdeeds he had done.
His worship referred to the dastard act of the torpedoing of the Leinster, and asked if anything more uncivilised could be imagined. It was one of the duties of the allies to see that such people became civilised.
The mayor said he was sure all present were as proud to take part in that ceremony as he was to perform. In pinning the medal on Company Sergeant Major Avery's breast, he warmly congratulated the Gallant soldier on being the recipient of such a coveted distinction, and especially on the bravery for which the medal was awarded him. (applause).
CSM Avery in a neat little speech, thanks to the Mayor for presenting him with the medial, and also the public of Burnley for the way they had received him on that occasion.
The ceremony was followed by the singing of the National Anthem.
From the Burnley Express dated 16th Nov 1918: MEDALLISTS DEATH. ONLY DECORATED A MONTH AGO.
Great regret will be felt at the death which occurred from pneumonia in Manchester on November 12th, of Company Sergeant Major Albert George Avery, DCM, of 38 Townley Street Burnley, only decorated with the medal at the Burnley Palace by the ex-mayor, alderman Sinclair, a month ago today. On that occasion he was warmly congratulated by the mayor and heartily cheered by the large audience.
Company Sergeant Major A G Avery, who was in the 2/5 East Lancashire Regiment (TF) was a married man with two children, and he was 30 years of age. His mother is living. Avery enlisted in 1914 and was at that time a weaver for Messrs’ Mason West and Bather, Harle Skye. He went out in March 1917, and the deed for which he received the DCM was as follows; " on March 21st last, during a heavy German offensive in front of Harbonniers, Company Sergeant Major Avery collected 50 men, and led them up the line under very heavy shell and machine gun fire, reinforcing the line at a very critical moment. He was in action for the whole of 9 Days up to being wounded on March 29. By his courageous act he set a magnificent example to his Men."
There is one brother in France, and also three brothers-in-law serving, whilst to have been killed, 1 being Sergeant Major Bolland, and the other Private James Feeney.
Lived at 38 Towneley Street, Burnley.
Albert left his effects to his widow Margaret.
Albert was buried in Burnley Cemetery, England: Grave Ref; A 16577.
