Albert Rodbourne was buried in Sucrerie Cemetery, Ablain St Nazaire, France PICTURE COURTESY OF B WHITTAM AND T HEARD
A former Orpington resident has written a book about one of the area's war heroes. DAVID MILLS finds out why we must not forget those who sacrificed their lives.
ALBERT Victor Rodbourne was one of the first men in the Orpington area to enlist at the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.
He joined the Royal Field Artillery in September that year aged 19, before sailing to France to fight in July 1915.
Just a few years later, in August 1918, the shell he was carrying prematurely exploded, killing him and several others.
He was 23-years-old at the time.
Nearly a century later, Albert Rodbourne's great nephew has written a book - Three Years on the Western Front: Gunner Rodbourne Goes To War - telling his great uncle's story.
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Author John Pateman said: "I wrote the book because I am doing my family history and I'm interested in the First World War.
"It is important ordinary soldiers such as
Albert are remembered, along with the more well known generals who fought in the war."
Nearly one million people were killed or wounded in the third battle of Ypres, known as Passchendaele
Mr Pateman lived in Petten Grove, Orpington, for 44 years and has written other books on the history of the area and the First World War.
The 51-year-old now lives in Lincolnshire.
Albert, who lived in a small terrace house in Poverest Road, St Mary Cray, is remembered on the Orpington war memorial and on the war shrines at All Saints Church in Orpington, St Andrews Church in St Mary Cray and St Paul's Church in Crofton.
There is also a plaque in St Mary Cray School, High Street, St Mary Cray, listing the names of Albert and other former pupils who died during the First World War.
Mr Pateman said: "It is very important we don't forget the ultimate sacrifice for King and country made by so many men between 1914 and 1918.
"This act of remembrance must be kept
alive and must go beyond the names on war memorials and the annual Remembrance Day."
Albert underwent basic artillery training
before going out to the front in 1915, where he was involved in some of the deadliest fighting ever seen at the Somme in France and Ypres in Belgium.
The third battle of Ypres, known as Passchendaele, in which almost one million people were either killed or wounded, started on Albert's 22nd birthday.
Albert was buried at Sucrerie Cemetery in Ablain St Nazaire, France, alongside the three men who died with him.
Mr Pateman hopes Albert will never be
forgotten.
He said: "I hope the book will keep alive the name of Albert Rodbourne so people know something of his life and death.
"I hope it will inspire others to look into their family histories and to write about their
ancestors so there will be a people's version
of history as well as that of the rich and
famous."
The book can be bought from Pateran Press, 11 Windsor Close, Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 7NL at £3 a copy, plus £2 postage. Cheques should be made payable to John Pateman.
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