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Albert Brigden - Information

Albert was living in Orangeville, near Camden, when he was thinking of joining the war effort. He was born in Surrey Hills, and later lived with his grandmother Annie Kelso. He then came to the Camden area with his brother, William Henry, finding work as a farm hand. Albert signed up to the AIF in Holsworthy on the 4th of September 1915, aged 22. He had superior riding skills and was placed with the 7th Light Horse Regiment. He then departed Sydney on the 2nd of May 1916 on the HMAT Hororata.

Albert soon found himself in the desert surrounds of Egypt. He was quickly rushed to the No. 2 Stationary Hospital in mid June with the mumps. A month later, he completed exercises with the 2nd Light Horse Training Regiment. Albert then went out on patrols with the 7th Light Horse Regiment into the Sinai Desert and Palestine. The Regiment participated in the attack on Beersheba on the 31st of October. The Turks withdrew, and the 7th Regiment gave chase, leading to the capture of Jerusalem in December. Operations then moved into the Jordan Valley in early 1918. This resulted in many encounters with the enemy including Amman in February, and Es Salt at the end of April. Albert then attended a Cookery School in Ismalia on the 8th of July 1918. After the Turkish Forces surrendered, Albert reported sick in November. He was then granted a New Years Day present, leaving for Australia on the HT Aeneas although suffering with debility.