Army Cyclist Corps
Albert Thomas Blunt was born on 31 July 1892, one of eleven children born to Thomas and Mary Ann Blunt, of Kingsholm, Gloucester. He joined the Army Special Reserve on a six year engagement on 3 January 1910 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment in July of that year, acquiring the number 9356. Along with the battalion he was posted to Tiensin, China in September 1913.
Following the outbreak of war, the 2nd Glosters were recalled to the UK, arriving on 8 November 1914 and joined the BEF in France on 19 December 1914, remaining there until 27 November 1915. Whilst on a home leave Albert married Beatrice Ellen Mary Hannis at St Mark’s Church, Kingsholm on 6 November 1915.
Whilst serving with the BEF Albert transferred to the Divisional Cyclists Section and when this became the Army Cyclist Corps he became part of the 16th Corps Cyclists. He was posted to Salonika on 28 November 1915 and became an officer’s servant.
Like so many who served on the Salonika Front, Albert contracted malaria and during leave in England was admitted to Kingston-upon-Thames Military Hospital on 13 August 1918, transferring to Horton (County of London) War Hospital, Epsom the following day. His condition deteriorated and he died, as a result of acute lumber pneumonia on 17 August 1918, aged 26.
Private Albert Thomas Blunt was brought home to Gloucester for burial in Gloucester Old Cemetery on 22 August. His brother, Private Ernest Sidney Blunt, was killed in action on 15 June 1918, whilst serving with the 1/5th Glosters in Italy and is buried in Boscon British Cemetery