Albert

Albert

Population 1914:

Population 2004: 10,068

Location: 

First Attacked: n/a. Fell to the Germans in 1918

Site Links

Albert Communal Cemetery Extension

External Links

Albert Somme Trench Museum

Fanny Durack - Olympic Swimmer

History

Albert was the main staging post of British forces on the Somme in 1916. There was a rail terminus here, both in the town (although shell fire made it impractical to use by 1916), with another at Edgehill near Dernancourt, close by. Houses in the town were used for billeting troops, there were several Dressing Stations, sites for both field and heavy guns, plus dumps of equipment, ammunition and other stores. Even by the time of the Battle of the Somme the town was still in good condition, and the town's main church - the Basillica - was still standing. Atop its tower was a golden statue of Mary, hold Christ in her out -stretched arms. This had been hit by a shell in 1915, and fixed in place by French engineers. However, the legend seen grew that when the Virgin fell, the war would end - it came down in 1918, although by British shells, following the capture of Albert by the Germans. In 1916 it was known as the 'Leaning Virgin' or the 'Golden Virgin' to British troops, many of whom could see it from the front line trenches. The Australians called it 'Fanny Durack' after the then famous female Olympic swimmer, who had won a gold medal for Australia in 1912; they figured the statue of Mary looked like Fanny diving into a swimming pool!