Albert Henry Cosser with his wife Agnes Mary Crane and Children.

Albert William Cosser 6th December 1886 – 21st December 1916, Age 30 SAILLY-SAILLISEL BRITISH CEMETERY Albert William Cosser was the eldest son of Harry and Agnes Cosser, and was admitted to St. James’ School on 10th October 1893. In the 1911 census, Albert is shown as living with his wife, Nellie, at 17 Ashley Road, Boscombe, and working as a gardener for Bournemouth Council. Albert’s younger brother, Arthur, had also enlisted in the Hampshire Regiment on 24th June 1916 and served overseas, until he was awarded the Silver War Badge and discharged (with wounds) on 26th April 1919. His younger brother, Frederick, served in the Guards Machine Gun Regiment. One of Albert’s sisters, Ethel May, married Albert Victor Brewer, who is commemorated also on the St. James’ War Memorial Cross. Albert’s father (Harry, a wholesale butcher) lived in 14 Stourvale Road and frequently permitted the use of his meadow close to the Church by the Parochial Sunday School’s Committee. In 1917, it was used for a Sports’ Day to mark the breaking up of the schools for the summer holidays, whereupon almost 600 children from the Parish schools attended. The Vicar reported that “It was a goodly sight to see so many smiling happy faces, almost compelling the accompanying adults to forget for the moment ‘all about the War’, and at the same time thank God for the privilege of being fellow workers with Him in the nurturing of His little ones.”