Albert Victor Soar

Albert Victor Soar was born on 6th February 1897 in Nottingham and was the son of Marcus Thomas, the secretary of a limited company, and Charlotte Louisa Soar (née Newman) of Lowdham. His father Marcus Thomas was born in 1867 in Nottingham and his mother was born in 1864 also in Nottingham. They were married on 5th May 1887, again in Nottingham, and were to have seven children. According to the 1911 Census, four children died in infancy or early childhood. Their surviving children were: Marcus Thomas b1892 Nottingham, Albert Victor b. 6 February 1897 Lowdham and Gertrude Jenny b1899 Lowdham. The names of three children who died in infancy/childhood are named on the family grave, Nottingham General Cemetery: Frank Bernard d. 23 February 1891 age 6 months, Mary Jane (Jenny) died 7 June 1893 age 5 and Ethel Annie died 6 June 1895 age 10 months. In the 1911 census the family is living at Victoria Cottages, Lowdham and are shown as Marcus 44yrs, the secretary of a limited company (building merchant), who is living with his wife Charlotte Louisa 49 yrs and two of their three children, Albert Victor 14 yrs, a cigarette machine operator, and Gertrude Jenny 12 yrs scholar. They have a domestic servant, Nellie Paling 17 yrs born Lowdham, also living with them. At the time of the 1911 Census, Albert's older brother, Marcus Thomas (19), an assistant to a builder's merchant, was a visitor in the household of John and Elizabeth Mansfield of 43 Kentwood Road, Sneinton, Nottingham. Also in the home was John and Elizabeth's daughter, Fanny Mansfield (21), a lace hand, whom Marcus married the same year (A/M/J Nottingham). Albert's father, Marcus Thomas, died on 19 October 1927 and his mother, Charlotte Louisa, on 12 January 1952. Charlotte, who outlived all her children, was still living at the family home at Victoria Cottage, Station Road, Lowdham, at the time of her death. Of Albert's siblings: Marcus Thomas died aged 48 in 1939 (March Bingham). Gertrude Jenny married George William Bradley (b. 26 May 1895) in 1921 (A/M/J Southwell) and their daughter, Daphne Joan, was born on 14 February 1923. At the time of the 1939 England & Wales Register, Gertrude, described as 'incapacitated' and George, a printer's reader (Observer Corporation), were living at 11 Station Road, Southwell, with their daughter Daphne, a junior clerk for a local authority, and Edna J Bradley (b. 1 October 1917) who was described as a 'domestic duties paid'. Gertrude died in 1946 (Jun Southwell) aged 45. Her daughter Daphne married James CM Patterson in 1950 and died in 2006 (Jun Somerset).

In 1911 he was a cigarette machine operator.

Victoria Cottage, Station Road, Lowdham

Albert Victor Soar enlisted at Southwell on 12th February 1912 for four years service with the Territorials. He gave his age as 17 yrs (he was in fact 15 yrs of age), his address as Lowdham and that his occupation was that of paper maker. He served with 1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment. He was embodied for war on 5th August 1914 and landed in France on 2nd March 1915. He was killed in action on 7th May 1915 and is buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (grave ref. E.88). The war diary, 1/8th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, 7th May 1915 states "1374 Soar A V shot in front (Head) at Kemmel"

Personal inscription on CWGC headstone: 'Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.' Inscription family headstone, Nottingham General Cemetery: 'In loving memory of Frank Bernard who died Feby. 23rd 1891 aged 6 months. Also of Mary Jane (Jenny) who died June 7th 1893 aged 5 years. The beloved children of Marcus T. and Charlotte Soar. Also Ethel Annie Soar who died June 6th 1895 aged 10 months. Also of our dearly beloved son Albert Victor Soar, Private 1374 1st/8th Sherwood Foresters killed in action (Belgium), May 7th 1915 in his 19th year. He gave his life that we might live. His last message: 'God be with you till we meet again.' 'Sleep dearest ones in pure sweet slumbers sleep. The world's great sorrows were not meant for thee. Thy lives were tuned to gladness not to weep. To sing in heavenly choirs and wait for me.' The following notices are courtesy of the British Newspaper Archive (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 12, 13, 14 and 15 May 1915: ‘Soar. On the 7th inst., in Belgium, killed in action, Private Albert Victor Soar, the youngest, and dearly loved son of Marcus T. and Charlotte L. Soar, of Lowdham, in his 19th year. He did his duty. God be with us till we meet again.’ Nottingham Evening Post, 25 May 1915. Photograph with caption: ‘Pte. AV Soar, 1/8th Sherwood Foresters, Station Road, Lowdham, killed in action May 7. Aged 19.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 6 May 1916: ‘Soar. In fondest remembrance of Pte. Albert Victor Soar, killed in action May 7th, 1915. Time changes many things, but loving memory ever clings. Flo.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 8 May 1916: ‘Soar. In loving memory of Albert Soar, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action, May 7th, 1915. Fondly remembered. Alf and Kate.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 8 May 1916: ‘Soar. In loving memory of our dearly beloved son, Private Albert V Soar (of Lowdham), 1374, 1/8th Sherwood Foresters, killed in action (Belgium), May 7th, 1915. There’s never a morn or a night returns but what we are thinking of thee. Sadly missed by his sorrowing father, mother, brother and sister.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 8 May 1916: ‘Soar. In loving memory of our dear nephew, Private Albert Victor Soar (of Lowdham), 1374, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action May 7th, 1915. Ever in our thoughts. John and S Ann McIntyre.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 7 May 1917: ‘Soar. In loving memory of our dearly-b eloved son, Private Albert V. Soar, of Lowdham, 1374, 1st/8th Sherwood Foresters, killed in action, Kemmel, Belgium, May 7th, 1915. Never a morning day or a night returns but that we are thinking of thee. Sadly missed by his sorrowing father, mother, brother, and sister.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 7 May 1917: ‘Soar. In loving memory of our dear nephew, Private Albert Victor Soar, of Lowdham, 1374, 1st/8th Sherwood Foresters, killed in action May 7th, 1915. A noble life laid down. John and S Ann McIntyre.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 7 May 1917: ‘Soar. In loving memory of Albert V. Soar, 8th Sherwoods, killed May 7th, 1915. Still remembered. Cousin Alf and Kate.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 7 May 1917: ‘Soar. In loving memory of Private Albert Victor Soar, killed in action May 7th, 1915. Never will his memory fade. Flo.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 8 May 1918: ‘Soar. In loving memory of Lowdham, Sherwoods, killed in action, Kemmel, Belgium, May 7th, 1915. Never a morning dawns or a night returns but what we think of thee. Sadly missed by his sorrowing father, mother, brother and sister.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 8 May 1918: ‘Soar. In loving memory of our dear nephew, Albert Victor Soar, killed in action May 7th, 1915. Ever in our thoughts. J&SA McIntyre.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 8, 9 and 10 May 1919: ‘Soar. In ever-loving memory of our dear son, Pte Albert V. Soar, (of Lowdham), No 1374, 1/8th Sherwoods, killed in action, Kemmel, May 7th, 1915. Ever in our thoughts. Dearly loved and sadly missed. Father, mother, brother, and sister. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam; 8 May 1919: ‘Soar in loving memory of Pte Albert Soar, killed in action May 7th, 1915. Fondly remembered by cousins Alf and Kate.’ Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 7, 8 and 9 May 1925: ‘Soar. In ever loving memory of our dear son and brother (Pte.) Albert V Soar, of Lowdham, killed in action, Kemmel, 7th, 1915. Ever in our thoughts.’ Probate: Soar Marcus Thomas of Victoria-cottage Lowdham Nottinghamshire died 19 October 1927 Probate Nottingham 27 March to Charlotte Louisa Soar widow Marcus Thomas Soar builder's merchant and Gertrude Jenny Bradley (wife of George William Bradley). Effects £6657 5s). Resworn £6907 5s. (Revoked pursuant to order dated 24 Novr 1933). Probate: Soar Charlotte Louisa of Victoria Cottage Station-road Lowdham Nottinghamshire widow died 12 January 1952 Probate Nottingham 28 April to Daphne Joan Paterson [granddaughter] (wife ofJames Crawford More Paterson) Effects £515 13s. 8d.