February 19, 1895 (Blades, Delaware) – June 9, 1918; 23 years old
Unmarried
Last local address: 276 Myrtle Avenue, Bridgeport; mother Edith Waller lived at 30 Monroe Street, South Norwalk; also lived at 23 Day Street, South Norwalk (1910 census)
Entered the service on May 15, 1917
Serial number 155950
Unit: First Engineers, Company F
Born to George Waller (1869-?) and Edith Waller (1875-1949). Brother, Irving (1897-1973), and two sisters, Maggie (1902-?) and Helen (1903-?).
Worked as a machine hand prior to service.
Died from wounds suffered after being bombed while building a pontoon bridge. In his burial file, it is written, “Albert Waller received the wounds from which he died on the night of June 8th, 1918. He was working with the company putting up barb-wire in the 2nd position in front of Coullemelle on the Montdidier front. Private Mannix put Private Waller on an Infantry ration cart and took him to the first Aid Station at Coullemelle. From here Private Waller was evacuated to Field Hospital number 12 where he died the next day. He was buried in the Hospital Cemetery at Bonvilliers.
From a newspaper (unknown) article dated July 1, 1918
ANOTHER GOLD STAR IN SERVICE FLAG
Another gold star was added to Norwalk’s service flag Saturday when a telegram was received announcing that Private Arthur Waller, aged 22 years, of 30 Monroe Street, had made the supreme sacrifice.
Waller was well-known locally, having been employed at the Remington Arms in Bridgeport prior to his enlistment at the outbreak of the war. He was among the first American soldiers to go to France and has been engaged in active warfare for some time. He was seriously wounded in action on June 3, and his death was the result of the wounds inflicted.
He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Waller, formerly of 30 Monroe Street, but who have since removed to 53 West 3rd Street, Wilmington, Delaware. Young Waller was a popular member of the Trinity Young Men’s Club and was well-liked and respected by all who knew him.
From The Bridgeport Telegram July 8, 1918
MEMORIAL FOR HONORED DEAD
A special memorial service for three boys of the parish and for another communicant of the church was held in Trinity Episcopal Church, South Norwalk, tonight at 8 o’clock. The three boys of the parish who have given their lives for the sake of their country were Privates Albert Waller, who recently died of wounds in France, Privates Walter Kenneth Hall, and Lester Guernsey James, who died from disease in their cantonments. The other soldier was Wagoner John Cheshire Burwell, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Burwell of Quintard Avenue, a communicant of the church in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, who lost his life while driving an ambulance in France. The members of the Trinity Men’s Club of which all of the young men except Wagoner Burwell were members, attended the church as a body. Ex-Mayor Carl Axel Harstrom gave the address of the evening and he dwelt particularly upon the gallant sacrifices made by Waller and Burwell. The other two young men also received praise for their actions in volunteering their life to their country, and Dr. Harstrom paid particular stress upon the demand at this time for young men who were brave and fearless to go out and meet the enemy face to face and to conquer or give their life in the attempt. Reverend F. A. Coleman, a rector of the church, gave a short address in which he made particular mention of the pride that the community took in the young men and also of the pride of the church and parish, in their sacrifice of their young lives that the cause of freedom and righteousness might live in the world.
From The Evening Journal (Wilmington, DE) March 29, 1921
PRIVATE WALLER LAID TO REST
Seaford Man Killed in France Given Military Funeral
WAS A MEMBER OF FIRST ENGINEERS
Special to The Evening Journal
SEAFORD, March 29 – A military funeral, conducted by the Seaford Post, American Legion, took place Sunday afternoon at Gregg M.E. Church, Blades, when Private Albert H. Waller, son of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Waller, of Blades, was buried. Young Waller was a member of the First Engineers and was killed in action on June 24, 1918. He was with his company erecting a platoon bridge over a river when he was killed by a German shell. The body arrived in this country last week. It was one of the largest funerals ever held in this section. This is the second military funeral to be held in this section within a few days. The funeral of Sydney Isaacs took place last week. At the Waller funeral, the Reverend J. Ward Mills, pastor of Blades Church, officiated. Interment was made in Blades Cemetery. Private Waller was about 26 years of age.
Albert Waller is listed on a memorial monument in Seaford, Delaware.
To read the entire NARA burial file, click HERE.
Private Waller’s final resting place is Blades Cemetery. The author is actively trying to find his final resting place.
Honor Norwalk CT veterans 