Meet Albert, the Invalid Gunner

Albert was born into a working-class family in England, where prospects at home were limited and military service promised regular pay, meals and purpose. As a young man, he enlisted in the Royal Artillery, a branch of the Army that valued discipline, strength and technical skill. He learned gunnery the hard way: lifting shot, swabbing barrels and standing watch in all weathers. Artillery service was physically demanding and unforgiving, but it offered pride and a sense of belonging.