Albert Wing
Private 2580
“D” Company
1st/4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment
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Albert Wing was the only son of William George and Mary Francis Wing, 92, Donnington Gardens. Reading. He was 21 and joined up just after the outbreak of war.
In a letter, later published in the paper in April or May 1915, Albert gives some information about a “close shave”. A place which had been used by his battalion the previous morning had been shelled and burnt down within half and hour of their leaving, He comments:
“I don’t think any of us met with any danger – only from shells when in the trenches, and when we are getting in and out. We went with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, and I think one or two casualties occurred to that lot. I am still keeping fit and well.”
We do not know the exact circumstances in which Albert Wing was injured but it is probable that it happened on 23rd July when “D” company were shelled and fired on after a successful attack on Pozieres in the morning. He was in the machine gun section and he received gun shot wounds in his right leg and buttock. Albert was evacuated to hospital in Rouen where he later died of his injuries. A chaplain wrote to his parents telling them that he had been brave and cheerful when admitted to hospital but a relapse had set in, and he died unconscious and peacefully. The ground of the Somme was very fertile, and threads from clothing forced into wounds could result in blood poisoning and gangrene. Minor injuries, which had they been treated aseptically and quickly, often proved fatal.
Albert Wing was buried in the St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, location A. 13. 45. He died 29th July 1916 – aged 21.
Prior to the war he first worked for the Reading Corporation Tramways Department and later for Sutton and Sons. He was a good Cricketer, and was Captain of the Sutton’s second team and had won the Batting prize two years in succession. Albert Wing was also a member of St. John’s Church.