In 1901 Albert was an 11 year-old, living with his parents in Warrington, Shropshire. The census shows that he was born in Wem, Shropshire. 33

Albert joined the Royal navy when he was still a boy. Although he was under-age his mother had to buy him out so he could travel to Australia with her.

Later he appears to have joined the Australian navy as he was a member of the Ex-Naval Mens' Association of Australia. Among his effects were several photos of R.N. ships - HMS Ganges II, HMS Amphitrite, HMS Monmouth, HMS Triumph and another ship which can't be identified. His son believes that Albert sailed on all these ships. He definitely visited Cochin China (Vietnam), China, Hong Kong and Singapore. His wife complained that he used to talk a sort of Chinese garble in his sleep when dreaming.

Albert married Ruby just before he was to sail overseas to serve in World War I. At that time Albert was a 27 year-old Lance-Corporal, stationed at the Military Camp in Seymour but normally resident at 94 Pt. Nepean Rd, Elsternwick. Ruby was a 27 year-old confectionery assistant, living in Brunswick St, Fitzroy but normally resident at 119 Kerr St, Fitzroy. Albert's brother Reginald was a witness. Albert and Ruby said goodbye at the gates of the Royal Show Grounds in Ascot Vale.

He'd joined the Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force ca Dec 1916 and served as a member of the 23rd Machine Gun Company. He was serving in France when he was caught in a gas attack, causing him to become medically unfit.

Albert was sent to Winisick (?) Hospital near Warrington so he got in touch with the Binnersleys.

In March 1942, aged 52, Albert volunteered for the Volunteer Defence Corps 18th Battalion and attained the rank of A/Sgt before he was again discharged as medically unfit on 3 Oct 1945. How he ever passed the initial medical examination for this service, we will never know!

Albert was a witness at the marriage of his brother Reginald.

At the time of his death in 1959, Albert was a munitions examiner living at 4 Churchill Av, Ascot Vale, Vic.

WORLD WAR II SERVICE
PRIVATE ALBERT CYRIL ROWLEY V369941
SERVICE AUSTRALIAN ARMY
DATE OF BIRTH 17 JULY 1899
PLACE OF BIRTH SHROPSHIRE, ENGLAND
DATE OF ENLISTMENT 20 MARCH 1942
LOCALITY ON ENLISTMENT MOONEE PONDS, VIC
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT MOONEE PONDS, VIC
NEXT OF KIN ROWLEY, RUBY
POSTING AT DISCHARGE 18 BATTALION