Baswitz, Albert
Captain Albert Baswitz, London Regiment, was a student at King's College from 1911 to 1914. He passed Intermediate Arts in 1912, studied for Hons. Maths in Final.
Captain Baswitz met his death gallantly leading his men against the Germans on September 16th last. A brother officer writing of his death says: "His sheer keenness for the whole thing was wonderfully infectious. On the 16th his chance came - the chance he had been longing for. He was ordered to take his company up and reinforce another battalion which was going to attack. So he died, gallantly leading his men, doing a work that he was always anxious to do."
Another writes: "His men, especially the bombers, adored him. There was no more popular officer in the whole division. His example will always be before us."
His Colonel, writing to his bereaved parents, said: "He was one of the bravest men I have ever met and one of the best of friends, beloved by the officers and all of his men too."
King's College Review, Dec 1916
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Baswitz |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | Albert |
| Date of birth | 1892 |
| Place of birth | Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire |
| Family details | Son of Mr Herman Baswitz (Enquiry Agent, Insurance. Born in Germany) of 40 Tamworth Street, Fulham, London |
| College | King's College London and/or King's College London Hospital |
| Dates at college | 1911-1914 |
| Dept / course | Faculty of Science at Kings College & London Day Training College |
| Qualifications | Intermediate Arts 1912 - B.Sc.Hons Maths 1914 |
| Military unit | City of London Regiment 1st/22nd Bttn - Territorial Force |
| War / conflict | World War One (1914-1918) |
| Campaigns | France and Flanders |
| Decorations / medals | M.C. For Distinguished Services in the Field and twice Mentioned in Despatches |
| Date of death | 16 September 1916 |
| Age at death | 24 |
| Rank at death | Captain |
| Place of death | High Wood |
| Cause of death | Killed in action leading his company |
| Burial place | Flat Iron Copse Cemetery, Mametz |
| Commemoration(s) | King's College Chapel |
| Notes | In the 1911 Census Albert was a student teacher |
| Sources | King's College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; University of London OTC 1914-19 |
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