Lance Corporal Albert Edward Dundee
Albert Dundee (centre) with his brothers Robert and Alexander
Albert Edward Dundee was born on 6 December 1894 at Straidnahanna, Ballylinny, County Antrim, son of farmer James Dundee and his wife Ellen Jane (nee Blair).
Part of a large family, Dundee's mother died in 1900 and his father eleven years later. In 1911 he was living at 95 University Road, Belfast, with his older brothers James, a pharmaceutical chemist, and Alexander.
Dundee enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 7 September 1914 (No.1139 – later Corps of Hussars 71246) with two of his brothers, Alexander and Robert. Their younger brother, 16-year-old Charles, had overstated his age and enlisted in the Royal Irish Rifles. Another brother, William John, had served in the Boer War with the Imperial Yeomanry and saw action in East Africa in the Great War.
On 1 May 1915 he embarked for France as part of D Squadron of the North Irish Horse. His brothers Robert and Alexander were also part of the squadron.
At the end of that month he was awarded 10 days field punishment – the offence he committed is not known.
Dundee remained with the regiment throughout the war. During the Advance to Victory offensive from August 1918 he was gassed.
On 19 March 1919 he was transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.
Dundee left London for Australia on 11 March 1921. He settled at Ouyen in Victoria, and died there on 20 April 1971.
Belfast Weekly Telegraph, 13 February 1915
A MILITARY FAMILY
Five sons of the late Mr. James Dundee, Beechfield, Ballynure, and brothers of Mr. James Dundee, chemist, University Road, Belfast. (1) Sergeant W. J. Dundee, of the Cape Dominion Defence Force. He served through the South African war, going out with the Yeomanry and returning threw in his lot with the Irish Horse, and again went to the front. On the cessation of hostilities he obtained a good position with the Commissioner of Police in Johannesburg. When the present war broke out he volunteered for service with General Botha's forces, and has since been engaged in the difficult task of rounding up rebels. He is at present in East Africa. Two brothers-in-law are serving in the (same?) Forces. (2) Troopers Robert and Albert and Corporal Alexander Dundee, of A Squadron North Irish Horse. All three joined together, and at present are training in England. (3) Private Charles Dundee, 14th Batt. (Y.C.V.) Royal Irish Rifles, is training at Randalstown.
Belfast Evening Telegraph, September 1918
Picture 1 kindly provided by Mrs Dorothy Harcourt. Pictures 2 and 3 provided by Nigel Henderson, Researcher at History Hub Ulster (www.greatwarbelfastclippings.com).