Posted to 2/5th S Staffs - and a promotion

When Albert had recovered from his illness, he was transferred to the 2/5th battalion, and promoted to sergeant. There followed a stay of about twelve months in Blighty, and reprieve from the horrors of the front in France and Flanders.

This photo of NCOs is certainly the 2/5th Bn S Staffs, because Albert was made sergeant after joining them. I wondered why he was not sent back to the front after his recovery from illness, but was told at the Staffordshire Regiment Museum in Whittington that the men were usually not returned to their original units after going sick or wounded to England. A matter of policy.

In April 1916 the battalion was sent to Dublin with the rest of the 59th(2nd North Midland Division) to quell the Easter Rising.