Family uncovers the story of Private Alfred Ernest Le Gallez

A WARTIME tale of a Guernseyman who died in the Battle of Cambrai has been uncovered by his family.

Published 27 Nov 2017, 11:45am

Sandra Robilliard holds the picture of her great-grandfather, Private Alfred Ernest Le Gallez, who served in the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry. Miss Robilliard is pictured with, on the left, Lt-Governor Vice-Admiral Sir Ian Corder, who planted the final tree at a ceremony in memory of the RGLI, and her cousin, Guernsey Press reporter Mark Ogier, who covered the event. (19940455) / Guernsey Press

Alfred Ernest Le Gallez served in the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry and lost his life on 1 December 1917 when he was just 30 years old.

While his name is among those recorded on the new memorial, which is due to be dedicated in Masnieres, France, later this week, his story had been lost to his family – until now.

Mr Le Gallez’s great granddaughter, Sandra Robilliard, had no idea her ancestor had died during the First World War.

But then when her father, John, recently died, she discovered a copy of an old photograph in his effects.

The picture was of John’s mother, Lily May – Miss Robilliard’s grandmother – at the age of about six and her family, including her father, Alfred Ernest Le Gallez, who was in military uniform.

After carrying out research, Miss Robilliard discovered that Private Le Gallez had started his working life as a stable boy and then became a baker before joining the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry.

He was among the hundreds of Guernseymen who died in the Battle of Cambrai.

Private Le Gallez’s remains were never found, so he has no known grave.

Full story in today's Guernsey Press