Roll of Honour - Leicestershire

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

ALBERT VILLAGE WAR MEMORIAL

World War 1 & 2 - Detailed Information
Compiled and Copyright © Rosemary Slater 2020

Village is now in Leicestershire but was in the parish of Church Gresley, Derbyshire. Some parts were believed to be in the parish of Woodville. Additional problems are that it is also in Ashby Woulds and the postal address for all of the parishes in this area was Burton on Trent, Staffordshire. It was recorded in 1897 as part of Leicestershire. The war memorial is situated at the crossroads of Occupation Road and Occupation Lane and Main Street and Mushroom Lane, Albert Village, DE11 8EW. It takes the form of a square, brick, clock tower with flanking brick walls on either side. There are white stone tablets mounted on to the base of the tower containing the inscription and names for World War 1 and World War 2, unfortunately the World War 2 tablet is badly weathered. The memorial was unveiled 19 October 1919 and the attendance included Mrs. G. Fairbrother and Mr. E. Jones.

Note: Sources used:-

1. Military Records, First & Second World War, on https://www.search.findmypast.co.uk includes:- Regimental & Service Records; Soldiers died in the Great War 1914-1919; Leicestershire & Rutland, Soldiers died 1914-1920; Commonwealth War Graves Debt of Honour Register; De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, 1914-1919; School Records.

2. Commonwealth War Graves website https://www.cwcg.org.

3. UK Census Records for 1911, 1901 & 1891

4, Newspaper Notices etc. at Local Archives, Magic Attic, Sharpe's Pottery, Swadlincote.

5. Records given by family members.

IN
MEMORY OF

ADAMS	Percy	Private Percy Adams 25747 7th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment. Enlisted 22 Jan 16 at Coalville. Age 24y 243 days. Single, Sanitary Pipe Worker. Birth place Gresley. Residence Albert Village. Next of Kin John Adams, Attestation dated 22 Jan 1916– address 116 Occupation Rd., Albert Village. Sanitary Pipe Loader. Age 24y 243 days. Height 5ft 6 ¾ inches Chest 34 ½ ins. Next of kin Father – John Adams of above address. Embarked Folkestone, 21.7.16 & Joined the 7th in the Field the following day. Killed in Action Sunday, Sept. 24th 1916 Aged 25. War diary for that day records “The battalion remained in bivouacs and was employed in finding working parties in preparation for the attack on Guedecourt. The casualties were all caused by shell fire whilst digging trenches and repairing roads Much of this was necessarily carried out under shellfire”. Commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France Pier and Face 2 C and 3 A. “Son of Mr and Mrs J. Adams of 119 Occupation Rd., Church Gresley. Burton on Trent.” Relatives living on 27 June 1919 :-John Adams, father, & Catherine, mother of 116, Occupation Road, Church Gresley Brothers William, 39, of Rangemore View, Castle Gresley; John, 37, at present in Egypt; George, 35, of Burnside, Warsop, Notts; James, 31 of [as parents] Sisters Mrs Mary Smith, 41, 147 Oxford St, Church Gresley; Mrs Lester, 33, 118 Occ. Rd; Ada 25, Dovecliff, Burton on Trent; Daisy 21 at home. Family in 1901 at Occupation Lane, Albert Village:-John Adams, 45, Pipe Yard Labourer, born at Swadlincote ; Catherine, wife, 42, born at Farnley, Yorks; Mary A Potter, 23, born at Gresley; William , Sagger Maker, 21, born at Occupation Lane ; John 18,Tileman, born at Occ. Ln ; George 16, Bricklayers Labourer, born at Occ Ln. James 13, Pipe Machine Labourer; Percy Adams, son, 9, Born at Occ. Ln.; Ada 7; Daisy 2. both born at Occ. Ln.
BAILEY	John W.	No further information found Oct. 2018. Should the name on the memorial be James W.?
BAILEY	James William	Private James William Bailey 50394 1/7th Lancashire Fusiliers Regiment formerly 37720 Leicestershire Regiment. Enlisted at Coalville. Birth place Overseal, Derbys. Residence Burton on Trent. Killed in Action Friday 5th April 1918 Commemorated at Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 5. He was the son of Mr & Mrs H Bailey of 3 Main St. Albert Village. Before he enlisted he was employed by Messrs. Sutton & Co. and was 19 years of age. His brother H[arry] of the 2nd Leinster Regt. has been wounded in the right arm & shoulder & suffered trench feet & effects of gas. [Burton Observer 4/5/18] & Burton Chronicle. 18/07/18 Family in 1901 at Spring Cottage, Donisthorpe, Ashby Woulds.:-Henry Bailey, General Labourer, born 1862 at Oabaston, Leics; Lois, wife, b 1866 at Donisthorpe; Harry, 13, Sanitary Pipe Works, born at Ashby; Effie 8. b. Overseal; Frances 6; & James W. Bailey, son, 2, both born at Donisthorpe. By 1911 the family had moved to 168 Occupation Rd. Church Gresley. There were 4 younger siblings; Jessie, 16, a Pot maker, William, b 1899, Edgar, 1901 & Emma, 1906, James was not at home [not on memorial]
BAILEY	Job	Private Job Bailey 118111 1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). Enlisted at Gresley. Birth place Tunstall, Staffs. Residence Church Gresley. Age 21. Killed in action 17 Oct 1918. Buried at Fresnoy le Grand Communal Cemetery, Aisne, France. A 24. “ Son of Priscilla Tudor [formerly Bailey] & Richard Tudor [stepfather], of 65 Main St, Albert Village, Church Gresley, Burton on Trent”. In March1901 the family home was at 71 Albion St., Burslem, Staffs:-Richard Tudor, Potters Placer, born 1875 at Burslem; Priscilla, wife, Potters Sponger Assistant born 1876 at Burslem; Joby Ball Bailey, stepson, 3, born 1898 at Chell, Staffs. 1911 at 25 Wellington St, Burslem Joby, 14, born at Tunstall and there was a brother Joseph William Tudor born 1901 at Burslem. Not on memorial.
BAKER	John Henry	Lance Corporal John Henry Baker 201050 Sherwood Foresters Regiment. Embarked Southampton for Rouen on 3 March 1916 and joined unit in the field on the 19th. Treated for Scabies 13 May and rejoined unit in the field on the 25th. On 4th Sept 16 he was to be paid L/Cpl. He was Killed in Action Thursday, March 8th 1917. Aged 30. Commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France Pier and Face 10C 10D and 11A “Son of Mr & Mrs H. Baker of 4 Edward St., Albert Village. Church Gresley, Burton on Trent” . Family in 1911 at 5 Albert St, Albert village Henry Baker 49, Labourer; Isabelle, wife, 51, born at Whittlesea, Norfolk, John Henry Baker, 23, Coal miner Roadman below ground, born 1888 at Albert Village; Jim, 20, Coal miner Filler below ground; Joe 18, Pipe carrying; Jack 13, Brick Carrying; Mary Dorothy Ranshall Baker, 11, School.
BROWN	Frederick	Private Frederick Brown 66229 2nd Bn. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Enlisted at Leicester.Birth place Woodville. Killed in Action Monday 4th Nov 1918 Aged 32. Buried at Landrecies British Cemetery, Nord, France. B. 61 “Son of Mrs Brown; husband of Lily Brown of 26 Main St., Albert Village, Church Gresley, Burton on Trent.”. 1911 Census at 172 Oxford St., Church Gresley:-Fred Brown, 23, Pipe Labourer, born at Woodville; Lily, wife, 20, a Tile Maker, born at Wilnecote, Warwickshire. Family in 1901 at Blacksmiths Row, High St, Woodville:-William Brown, Brewers Labourer, 41 born at ?Sundon, Bedfordshire, Selina, 39, born at Ashby; William Shaw Brown, Sanitary Placer at Pipe works, 21, born at Ashby; James 17 Carter at San. Pipe Works, born at Annswell ; John 15, Labourer at San. Pipe Works, born at Woodville; Frederick Brown, son, labourer at Pipe works 13, born 1888 at Woodville; Lottie 11; Frances 9; Harry 7; Katie 5, Charles 2 – all born at Woodville
COATES	Samuel George	Lance Corporal Samuel George Coates 140599 8th Bn. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) formerly 90996 Notts & Derby Regiment. Enlisted Derby. Born Albert Village, Leics. Residence Swadlincote. Killed in Action Wednesday 24th April 1918. Commemorated at Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France. Panel 90-93. Aged 28. “Son of Mrs Sarah Ann Measures (formerly Coates) of 9 Highfield Rd, Swadlincote.” Family at this address in 1911:_Thomas Barnacle Measure, 56, Sanitary Pipe Packer; Sarah Ann, wife, 50 born at Moira; Charles Thomas Coates 25, Sanitary Pipe Maker, born at Ashby Woulds; Samuel George Coates, son, single, 21, Sanitary Pipe Maker, born at Ashby Woulds; Adah Coates, 19, Tailoress, born at Gresley. Also on Church Gresley memorial
COOPER	Edward	Private Edward Cooper 41558 18th Battalion (4th Glasgow) Highland Light Infantry. Formerly 26672, Leics. Regiment. Enlisted at Coalville, Leics, Birth place Ashby Woulds. Residence Burton on Trent. Died of wounds received in action 3rd September 1917. Buried at St.Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. P. III. C. 4B. Family in 1911 at 6 Edward St., Albert Village:-Matilda Cooper, 68, widow born at Ticknall; Letitia BAXTER, sister, 74, Ticknall; John Cooper, son, Coal Miner Hewer, 39, Ticknall; William, Pipe Maker at San. Pipe Works, 32 Albert Village; Edward Cooper, son, Clay Getter below ground, 30, born at Albert Village.
HARPER	Harry	No further information found April 2018. 1901 at 145 Albert Village:- Charles Harper, 42, Clay Getter, born at Barrow, Derbys.; Mary A. , wife, 42, born at Swadlincote; possibly John H Harper, son, Pipe Works Labourer, 20, born at Swadlincote; Charles W. 18, Glaze ?Mill, Labourer, born at Albert Village as were the rest of the family:- Burnett G., 15, Brick Yard Labourer; Alice,12; Elizabeth,10; Joseph, 8; Frank 5; Constance, 3; & Gertrude 1.
LANGFORD	Harold	Driver Harold Langford 85600 “B” Bty. 54Th Bde. Royal Field Artillery. Enlisted at Mansfield, Notts. Birth place Church Gresley, Leics. Died of Pneumonia Friday Sept. 27th 1918. Aged 25. Buried at Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery, Greece. Grave1536 “son of William & Sarah Langford of 48, Oxford St., East Kirby, Notts. Native of Albert Village, Burton on Trent. Family in 1901 at Albert Village William Langford, Miner Coal Blower, 37, born 1864 at Staffs, Sarah, wife, 36, born at Yorks; William 15, Potter Bowl Maker & Eliza 14 –- both born at Linton, Derbys.; John T. 12 born at Swadlincote; George H. 10; Harold Langford, son, 8, born 1893 at Albert Village, Leics, Ethel 7; Lucy 4; Bernard 0, all born at Albert Village, Leics.
NICHOLLS	John	Private John Nicholls 100926 15th Bn. Durham Light Infantry. Enlisted at Gresley. Birth place Albert Village, Derbys. Residence Swadlincote. Military Records - Medical History, 17 March 1916, records Age 24y. 2m. Height 5ft 5 ½ inches. Weight 111lbs. Chest 35inches. Hair Dark Brown. Eyes Brown. Complexion Sallow. Vision & Physical development Good. He was a Miner and a Primitive Methodist. His wife, Mrs E. A. L. Nicholls, of 13 Highfield Rd. Swadlincote was awarded Separation allowance of 22/- to be paid until 18 May 1919. He went absent without leave for 24 hrs on 28/09/18 and was punished with loss of 7 days’ pay and 7 days confined to barracks. Proceeded overseas to France 12 Oct. 1918 and was in the field on the 17th. Killed in action 23rd Oct. 1918 in France & Flanders. Aged 27. Buried in Ovillers New Communal Cemetery, Solesmes, France. A 34. “Son of Matthew Nicholls of Albert Village, Derbys. Husband of Edith A. L. Nicholls of Norton View, Sharrow Lane, Sheffield.” Widow was awarded a pension of 30 shillings and 5 pence per week for herself and one child, with effect from 19th May 1919. Relatives living on 8th Oct 1919 were Wife Edith Ada Lilian Nicholls of 16 Broom Close, Sheffield; Daughter Gladys Lilian Nicholls born 12 May 1917; Father, Matthew Nicholls of 21 Main St, Albert Village; Sisters Lilian Nicholls, 21, at family home; Dora Fletcher 24, of Station St., Castle Gresley. Family in 1901 at Albert Village - Matthew Nicholls, 39, Miner Coal Getter born 1862 at Spring Cottage, Leics.; Ann, wife, 31 born 1870 at Albert Village, Leics; John Nicholls, son, 9 born 1892 at Albert Village, Leics.; Dora 7. Also on Church Gresley memorial.
ORGILL	William	Private William Orgill 24625 7th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment. Enlisted at Coalville. Birth place Newhall, Derbys. Residence Peters St., Albert Village, Leics. Killed in Action Friday July 14th 1916 near Mametz Wood. Aged 27. Commemorated at Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 2C and 3A “Son of Samuel & Eleanor Orgill of 22 Peters St., Albert Village. Church Gresley, Burton on Trent.” 1911 at above address:-Samuel Orgill, Colliery Banksman, 60, born at Newhall & Selina, wife, 62, born at Measham; William Orgill, son, Coal Miner hewer, 21, born at Newhall; Fanny Smith, daughter, 22, Domestic Servant, born at New Romney, Kent. Not on Albert Village or Newhall memorials
ORME	Charles W	Private Charles W Orme 40761 Leicestershire Regiment. Enlisted at Coalville. Birth place and Residence Albert Village. Killed in Action on the front line 27th April 1917. Buried at St Patrick's Cemetery, Loos, Pas de Calais, France. I. D. 20. Family in 1911 at 66 Main St, Albert Village:-Charles Orme, 41, Clay Miner below ground, born at Albert Village ; Susan, wife, 42, born at Bedworth, Warwicks.; Charles Orme, son, Labourer 16, born at Albert Village; Harold 14; Bertha 6, Wilfred 5, & Mabel ORME, servant with Sherratt family, 13 born at Albert Village
SANKEY	Harold	Private Harold Sankey 25074 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. Enlisted at Coalville. Birth place & Residence Albert Village.Died of wounds 1st June 1918 Aged ---. Buried at Rethel French National Cemetery, Ardennes, France. Grave Ref. 1716. Family in 1911 at 3 Main St., Albert Village all children born there:-Matthew Sankey, 63, Sanitary Pipe Maker, born at Pool Village; Mary, wife, 50, born at Moira; Walter 31, Sanitary Pipe Maker,; Albert 25, Sanitary Pipe Carrier, Earthenware Warehouse worker; Mary 29; Joseph 21, Sanitary Pipe Maker,; Harold Sankey, son, 18, Sanitary Machine Feeder ; Willoughby 16, Sanitary Machine Feeder ; Ernest 12, School; Doris granddaughter 1
SHERRATT	Sydney Everard	Private Sydney Everard Sherratt 4276 1st/5th Bn. Sherwood Foresters Regiment.. Enlisted at Derby. Birth place –. Residence Church Gresley, Derbyshire. On attestation form, dated 7th April 1915, the address is Albert Village, Church Gresley. On his Medical Inspection report he is 19y 3months, Height 5ft 6ins. Chest 36-39 ins. Vision – Good. Physical development - Fit. He embarked Southampton for Rouen on 12th Oct 15 and joined unit in the field on the 18th. Killed in Action Sat. July 1st 1916 Aged 18. Commemorated at Thiepval Memorial Somme, France. Pier & Face 10C 10D and 11A “Son of John & Hettie Sherratt of 4, Occupation Rd., Church Gresley, Burton on Trent”.Family in 1911 at Albert Village:-Joseph Topliss, widower, 74, Publican, born at Ticknall ; John Sherrat, Son in Law, Presser Sanitary Pipe works, 35, born at Woodville; Hettie Sherratt, daughter, 35, Born at Mushroom Lane; S E Sherratt, grandson, 13, Errand Boy Boot & shoe shop, born [at 149 Mushroom Lane] Albert Village; Percy, grandson, 11, School; Eliza 7, School; Annie 3; Mabel ORME, servant, 13 born at Albert Village
SIDDONS	Charles	Private Charles Siddons 37911 15th Bn, Sherwood Foresters Regt. Enlisted at Coalville. Birth place Woodville. Residence Church Gresley. Killed in Action in France Wed. Aug 23rd 1916. Aged 25. Buried at Ville-Sur-Ancre Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. E. 6. “Son of Charles & Mary Louisa Siddons of 14 Main St., Albert Village, Church Gresley, Burton on Trent.”Family in 1901 at Albert Village:-Charles Siddons, Domestic Gardener, 41 born at Osgathorp, Leics.; Mary L., Wife, 35 born at Linton, Derbys; Nellie 13, born at Swadlincote; Charles Siddons, son, 10, born 1891 at Swadlincote; Bella 8; Hilda 3; Mary L. 1, born at Albert Village;
WITHNALL	George William	Lance Serjeant George William Withnall 15241 8th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment. Enlisted at Ashby de la Zouch. Birth place & Residence Albert Village. Killed in Action Thurs May 3rd 1917 * Aged 21. Commemorated at Arras memorial, Pas de Calais, France, Bay 5 “Son of Joseph & Annie Withnall, of 23 Main St, Albert Village. Church Gresley, Burton on Trent.” *War diary for that day records. BOYELLES. The attack on the village of Fontaine-les-Croiselles was made on this day. Casualties were Killed 19, wounded 101, missing 168, died of wounds 3. Total 11 officers & 291 other ranks. Family in 1911 at 23 Main St, Arms, Albert Village Joseph Withnall, 39; Coal Hewer Underground, Annie, wife, 33, born at Overseal; George W, son, Pipe Works Labourer, 14, born at Albert Village; Ethel 10; Charles 7; Elizabeth 4 - all born at Albert Village
WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919 GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS IN MEMORY OF
CLIPSOM	James	Petty Officer James [Jim] Clipsom D/JX179362 H.M. President III Royal Navy. Died Sunday 28th March 1943 Aged 24. Commemorated at Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon, U.K. Panel 78.Column 2. Son of Harold James & Eva Clipsom of Woodville, Derbyshire
EBBERLEY	Jack	[Badly faded on memorial] Lance Corporal Jack Ebberley 6984553 53rd Regt. Reconnaissance Corps, R.A. C. Died Tuesday August 15th 1944 Aged 27. Buried at Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery, Calvados, France. IV. D. 6. Son of Joseph & Harriet Ebberley, husband of Edith Mary Ebberley, of Albert village, Church Gresley, Staffordshire. “Sleep on beloved, take thy rest. We miss you most who loved you best.” Also on Newhall memorial.
GALLOWAY	Jesse	No further information found.
HARVEY	William	[only possibility on cwgc] Fireman William Harvey 130146 H.M.S. Transylvania Naval Auxiliary Personell (Merchant Navy). Died 10th Aug. 1940. Aged 32. Liverpool Naval Memorial, U.K. Panel 22 Column 2.
JOHNSON	James Paul	Leading Aircraftman 1477086 Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve. Died Friday 9th March 1945 Aged 22. Buried at Church Gresley Cemetery. Sec. 4. Cons. Grave 1569. Son of Charles Henry and Harriet Gertrude Johnson of Albert Village, Burton on Trent.
NORTH	Thomas Vivian	Private 14510515 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regiment. Son of Thomas and Edith Hannah North; foster son of Mrs E Newbold of Overseal Derbyshire. [not on Overseal Memorial] Died July 27th 1944. Aged 20. Buried at Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France. 1. D. 14
NEWBOULD	-----	No further information found. Possibly the same man as above
PRATT	Sam	Only one is on Swadlincote. Memorial. Corporal 4971914 2nd Bn, Sherwood Foresters Regiment. Son of James and Annie Pratt; husband of Marjorie Pratt of Midway, Derbyshire. Died Monday, April 17th 1944Buried at Beach head War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy. XII. F. 1.
REDFERN	Arthur	Only one on cwgc is Private 10602345 1st Bn. South Lancashire Regiment. Died Tues. 18th July 1944. Aged 22. Buried at Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France. IV. A. 4.
WEST	Joseph	Gunner 943052 74 Medium Regt. Royal Artillery. Died Wed. 15th March 1944 Aged 25. Buried at Cassino War Cemetery, Italy. II. E. 11. Son of Frederick and Jane Marion West of Church Gresley, Derbyshire; husband of Elizabeth Emma West of Church Gresley. [not on Church Gresley memorial]
WILDER	George	No further information found
WILKINS	Raymond	Private 14405416 5th Bn. Sherwood Foresters Regt. Died Wed.13th Oct, 1943. Buried at Minturo War Cemetery, Italy. VIII. D. 24. “Son of Eric John & Elizabeth Ann Wilkins of Church Gresley, Derbyshire”. [not on Church Gresley memorial]
WILSON	Arthur Harry	Trooper 7961412 6th (Airborne) Armd. Regt. Reconnaisance Corps, R.A.C. Died Tues. 6th June 1944. Aged 21. Buried at Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France. Coll. Grave VIA. C. 1-25 “son of Albert Harry & Mary Ann Wilson of Church Gresley, Derbyshire”. [not on Church Gresley memorial]
WHO FELL IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939 - 1945 GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.

Last updated 30 September, 2020

War Memorials Trust