We have received a note from David Hamlett, the nephew of Fusilier Albert Hamlett, who was killed on 12 August 1943 at Maletto on the western side of Mount Etna in Sicily.
Fusilier Hamlett was 26 years of age when he died and is buried at Catania CWGC Cemetery. His name is also included on the Memorial, which was unveiled by the Municipality near Maletto in 2022.
David Hamlett told us in his note:
“Unfortunately, my knowledge of my uncle, Albert Hamlett, is quite limited but I do have some information that I can pass on to you though.
Albert was one of four children who were born to Sarah and William Hamlett and they all grew up in Warrington – the other children being my own father, William (Bill), and my aunts, Annie (married name Gillow) and Frances (married name Phibbs).
My father also served during the Second World War and was one of the last to be evacuated from Dunkirk when he was serving with the Manchester Regimen. He was later transferred to the Cheshire Regiment where he remained for the rest of the war including being deployed to the North Africa and Italy theatres.
Uncle Albert was married to Gladys and I think they lived in Foster St in Warrington but can’t be totally sure. Albert was about a year older than my Dad so that would see him being born around 1917.
Albert and Gladys had a daughter, whose name was Joyce, and I know she was born in 1943 when he was overseas with the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Of course, he was killed before he actually got to meet Joyce. She later emigrated to South Africa and married a butcher but we did not keep in contact – she would be 83 now if she is still alive.”
