Albert Ratcliffe

War Service

In October 1915 at Wakefield he joined the Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards) and served in 13th,, 6th and 9th Battalions.
In August 1916 he went to France and was promoted to sergeant during active service.
In November 1917 he was wounded and invalided back to hospital in Manchester. He was home in Knottingley in March 1918 and then returned to his regiment in April. He was sent to France and later to Italy.
The 9th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment was part if the 69th Brigade of the 23rd Division, which had been sent to Italy in November 1917. In March they moved to the Asiago Plateau to defend against attacks from Austria in June 1918.
In July the 9th Battalion were in trenches.
On the night of 19th July Albert was part of raid on the enemy front line. Thirteen prisoners were captured and over thirty killed. For the Green Howards one officer was killed and two other ranks. Albert was among the fourteen wounded. He was severely wounded in the leg and was taken to the Advanced Operating Station in Cavaletto, where it was necessary to amputate his leg on 20th July. He died in the afternoon.
He is buried in the Cemetery at Cavaletto, high up in the mountain

Family Life

Albert Ratcliffe was born in Knottingley in 1893, the son of William and Annie Ratcliffe (nee Robinson). He had a younger brother John Victor and a sister Annie Mary.
His father William was born in Hunslet and the family moved around1880 to Knottingley to work in the Glass works. His father was a glassworker. Annie Robinson was born in Knottingley and had her roots in the town. She was a dressmaker. They lived in Low Green and Hilltop.
William died in 1918 and Annie moved to the Ropers Arms.
Albert followed his father to work in the Glassworks, but later moved to work in Wakefield as a pork butcher.

Albert Ratcliffe

Albert Ratcliffe's grave