Pte. Albert Frederick Sheehan MM, S15848 16th Bn. Rifle Brigade

Pte. Albert Frederick Sheehan MM, S15848 16th Bn. Rifle Brigade

Born: 20th August 1889, Bethnal Green district

Parents: James Henry Sheehan (d. 1929 aged 78) & Louisa Pawsey (m.1886).

Siblings: Lesley James (b. 1887), Francis (1888), Hilda b/ 13 April 1892, Constance May (1894), Standly R (1896), Louisa V. (1898), John (1900), Harry (1903), Elsie (1906), William (1908).

1891 Census: 98 Nichols Square, Shoreditch, London

1901 Census: 89 Goldsmith Row, Shoreditch, St. Leonard, London.

Married: 27th March 1910 to Christina Rosina Young - born 2 Oct. 1886

1911 Census: 21 Aske Rd., Hoxton, N. London. Stationery worker in Paper warehouse.

1913 4 April - Son Albert Frederick Sheehan born.

Served as S15848 Rifle Brigade 16th then 13th Battalions - War & Victory medals - no surviving service record?

MM (with 16th) in LG 14 Jan 1918 with others for 39th Division attack near Bulgar Wood on 20/21 September 1917.

I think this was the same action for which P649 Sjt. William Francis Burman was awarded the VC.

1939 Census: 151 Southgate Road, Islington, London. Builder’s labourer.

         With wife Christina & sons Patrick (DoB 17 Mar 1916) & Daniel (5 Sept 1923).

Died: Q1 1953 at Stoke Newington, aged 63. His wife Christina died: 1 Jan 1983 at St. Georges Hospital, Hornchurch, Essex.

MCs and MMs for 20/21st September listed in the 16th Rifle Brigade WD on 31st October 1917:

William Francis Burman's VC citation: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Edinburgh/issue/13173/page/2475

Sheehan's MM index card - TNA ref. WO 372/23/165290 

Hi Ivor, my records show his medal has appeared on EBAY and had a citation with it. Hope this helps.

Regards 

Chris 

EBAY L/Cpl. Albert Frederick Sheehan MM. 16th Btn Rifle Brigade

from:Hoxton

Lance Corporal Albert Sheehan, won his Military Medal on the 20th September, 1917, 

the same day that Sergeant William Burman, also of the 16th Rifle Brigade,

won his Victoria Cross. 

Major-General Edward Feetham wrote :15848 Pte (A/Cpl) A. F. Sheehan, 16th Btn. 

The Rifle Brigade.

The Major-General Commanding the 39th Division wishes to place on record his 

appreciation of your gallant conduct on Sept 20th 1917 S.E. of Ypres when,

after a Lewis Gun Team had been killed, you took the gun and moved round to the

flank of a strong point and opened fire on the door, causing the garrison to surrender.

Signed, E. Feetham (Major-General Commanding 39th Division), and dated 10-10-17

Many thanks Chris,

Was that his war medal or his MM? I saw that and messaged the seller.

I'm not sure where the citation came from to verify it, but it ties in with Burman's VC citation?

I bought his silver War Medal.

Ivor

Hi Ivor - apologies - it was his BWM - apparently it was an official citation?

Hello,

About once a year I noodle around the internet, looking for any new records that might have cropped up about my Great Grandfather, S/15848 L/Cpl. Albert Frederick Sheehan MM. Generally, it’s an unproductive exercise, so I was very pleased when I stumbled across your thread on the GWF last weekend.

There seems to be some uncertainty in the thread as to exactly where his citation for the MM came from, so I thought I would sign up to the forum and set the record straight. It comes from his Divisional Commendation Card, handwritten and signed by Major-General Feetham, 39th Division, the original of which is framed and hanging on the wall in front of me as I type (along with his MM, Victory Medal and ARP badge from WW2). I inherited these items from my Nan, but I grew up seeing the Commendation Card every week as she adored her dad and also had it displayed in her home.

The details you have are correct, and I think they were lifted from a posting that I put on the Wartime Memories Project website back in 2014 in honour of Albert. (I also provided Howard Williamson with a copy when he was researching his book on MM Rolls 1916-1920.)

Amongst the personal documents I have for Albert, one of my favourites is a photo of him in a three-piece suit in 1940, proudly wearing a ribbon bar for his MM and pair – I think he was (quite rightly) proud of his wartime service, as am I.

I have attached a photo of his original Commendation Card.

Regards,

Jerry

Thanks for posting the citation Jerry. Great to hear that you have his MM & VM. I have his BWM:

If you would like to reunite them I am happy to sell the BWM to you for the £46.50 inc. p&p that I paid for it. The dealer said he bought it from a family member.

If you post again below this you should then be able to send me a private message via the GWF. Don't post your email or postal address on this thread.

Best wishes,

Ivor

Ivor,

That is an extremely kind offer and I would would dearly like to take you up on it.

I'm trying to work out how to message you privately with my contact details, so it might take a minute, but I just wanted to post this straight back to you to express my most sincere thanks.

Regards,

Jerry

I've just messaged you. Look at the envelope icon on the top right of this page.

Ivor

Albert Sheehan's BWM is on its way home to be reunited with his MM, VM and citation, in the enthusiastic custodial care of his great grandson.

A moment of joy - we are all only custodians!

Thanks to the kindness and generosity of GWF member Ivor Anderson, the Great War medals of my Great Grandfather, S/15848 L.Cpl Albert Frederick Sheehan MM, 16th (Service) Battalion, Rifle Brigade, have been reunited, almost certainly for the first time since his death in 1953. The best tribute I can pay to Ivor, and to other medal collectors throughout the country who unhesitatingly return long lost medals to families when they can, is to post a picture of the reunited group. Thank you, Ivor.

MM -       S-15848 L.Cpl A. F. SHEEHAN. 16/RIF: BDE:

BWM -     S-15848 PTE, A. F. SHEEHAN. RIF. BRIG.

VM -        S-15848 PTE. A. F. SHEEHAN, RIF. BRIG.

I am as delighted as you are Jerry. A pleasure to behold them reunited. I'm glad it has gone 'home' to a descendent who values them!

A brave man and a VC action remembered! Thanks for posting the photos.

Enjoy them,

Ivor

Hi Albert was my great grandfather too nice to meet another 'Sheehan" How are you related to Albert my Grandad was Arthur Frederick (Fred) Sheehan and his son Michael was my father