From Lhasa to Mons with the Royal Fusiliers.

Tibet Medal 1903 - 04 with clasp for "Gyantse".
7225 Pte. A. Dyke, 1st Royal Fusiliers.

Albert Dyke, an 18 year old carman serving with the 3rd Royal Fusiliers Militia, enlisted for full time army service with the Royal Fusiliers on 17th March 1899, agreeing to serve seven years with the Colours and five years in the Reserve. On enlistment he was almost 5' 5" tall, weighed 116lbs and had a fresh complexion, brown hair and brown eyes. Initially posted to the 2nd Battalion in May 1899, he was transferred to the 1st Battalion in March 1901. Army life seems to have suited Albert and gave him the opportunity to see foreign lands. He served in Burma from March 1901 and was awarded his 1st Good Conduct Pay in April. The following November, he passed his 3rd Class Certificate of Education. In 1904, Albert extended his service to eight years and received his 2nd Good Conduct Badge.

At this time, the Fusiliers were called upon to provide a contingent to reinforce Colonel Younghusband's mission to Tibet, which had been held up by Tibetan resistance at the fort of Gyantse. From a battalion strength of around 1,200, a total of 425 of the healthiest and fittest men (those best able to withstand the rigours of high altitudes) were chosen to go, including Albert Dyke.

Albert returned to England in late 1910 and in December 1912 was discharged from the army. However, just three months later, he re-enlisted for four more years and, on the outbreak of the First World War, went to France on 13th August 1914 with the 4th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. Ten days later, this Battalion distinguished itself at Mons, where they had fierce fighting at Nimy Bridge and Lieutenant Dease and Private Godley won the first Victoria Crosses of the Great War. Read the details here: The 4th Royal Fusiliers at Nimy.

Albert Dyke was wounded by shrapnel in the upper arm on 26th October 1914 and, after a spell in the 4th Stationary Hospital at Boulogne, invalided back to England in November. He served a second time in France from November 1915 till May 1916, firstly with the Dock Police at Le Havre and then on the Lines of Communication. His wound had resulted in a loss of power in his right hand rendering him unsuitable for front-line service. In April 1916, he developed bronchitis, which developed into phthisis and, on 1st June 1916, he was discharged from the army as "permanently unfit for service". On discharge, his military character was described as "very good" and he was characterised as "trustworthy and sober". His intended place of residence was given as his mother's house at 2A Cadbury Road, Bermondsey, London. Albert Dyke died on 1st October 1916 at the age of 34.