We first meet Albert soon after war is declared: Pte Albert Lumb of Springville Terrace, Idle, who was a Reservist in the 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, and was called to the colours on the outbreak of war, was in West Hartlepool during the bombardment. A shell fell near to where he was standing and after it had exploded he picked up several pieces which he sent to his friends at Idle as souvenirs. One of them was sent in a tobacco box and attached to it was a label bearing the inscription: ‘Piece of shell delivered at West Hartlepool on Wednesday the 16th, 1914, with the Kaiser’s compliments.’ Shipley Telegraph & Argus 25 December 1914 A couple of years later we learn that he has been one of the lucky ones: Out of the three Idle postmen who have served their country in the war only one survives That is Sgt Albert Lumb, Springville Terrace, Idle. The two who have been killed in France are Pte Ernest Goodman and Pte Herbert Kilner. Sgt Lumb is at present at home from Malta on a month’s leave. He was called up as a reservist on the outbreak of war and is now a time-expired man. He has been in Malta 18 months and is expecting to return there. Shipley Telegraph & Argus 2 February 1917