Albert Smith

Albert was born in 1889 in Wirksworth and was the son of George Smith a gardener and Mary Ann Smith née Thompson of The Vaults House Coldwell Street Wirksworth, Derbyshire. His father George was born 1860 at Wirksworth and his mother Mary Ann was born 1862 also in Wirksworth; their marriage was recorded in the Belper Registration district in June 1880. They had a large family of 12 children, sadly two were to die in infancy prior to the 1911 census, their children were:- Lydia b1882, William b1884, Ada b1886, George b1887, Albert b1889, Harry b1891, Maggie b1892, Eva b1896, John b1897 and Ellen b1901; all the children were born in Wirksworth. In the 1901 census the family are living at St John St, Wirksworth Albert is 12 years of age and an errand boy for a grocer's. By the 1911 census the family are living at Canterbury Terrace, Wirksworth and shown as George head of the family a gardener 51 yrs , living with his wife Mary Ann 49 yrs, and their children , Harry 20 yrs a cotton tape weaver, Eva 16 yrs a lapper in tape works, Jack 14 yrs an errand boy, and Nelly 10 yrs a scholar. In the same census we find Albert's future wife, Elizabeth Hannah Curzon, who is living at 78 Newcastle Street, Wirksworth, she is 18 yrs of age, a hosiery factory hand born at Heage. She is living with her parents John Curzon 52 yrs a coal miner born Crich, Derbyshire and Mary Curzon 46 yrs born Fritchley, Derbyshire. Also present are various siblings, married and single. It has not been possible to trace Albert on the 1911 census as yet. He was married to his wife Elizabeth Hannah Curzon at the Parish Church in Huthwaite on 31st March 1912. They went on to have a son born in March 1913 recorded in the Mansfield Registration District. However, sadly he died on 21st March 1916, at 78 Newcastle Street, Huthwaite. The death was registered by his grandmother Mary Curzon, who was present when he died. He was 3 years of age; the cause of death was given as croup. Following his death his widow received a letter from the Ministry of Pensions dated 10th April 1919, informing her she would receive a pension of 13 shillings and 9 pence a week, commencing 5th May 1919.

Working at Ripley Urban District Council prior to enlistment.

Albert enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war, he enlisted at Derby on 26th August 1914, on his enlistment he stated he had previously served with the Sherwood Foresters and was 'time served'. He gave his age as 26 years and 241 days and that his occupation was that of a groom. His address was 78 Newcastle Street, Huthwaite and next of kin was given as his mother of the same address. He served on the home front from 26th August 1914 until 24th October 1915, and was promoted to unpaid Lance Corporal on 27th September 1914 and eventually to paid Lance Corporal on 23rd October 1914. On 26th October 1915 he embarked from England to join the Mediterannean Expeditionary Force. He embarked from Imbros on 29th January 1916 finally disembarked at Alexandria, Egypt, on 3rd February 1916. On 27th March 1916 he reverted to private at his own request. On 20th June 1916 he embarked to join the British Expeditionary force on the Western Front and disembarked in France on 4th July 1916. He was seriously wounded in his leg and thigh and buttock whilst in action on 14th August 1917 and was admitted to hospital and then, eventually, on 20th November 1917 was transferred to a convalescent home at Clacton on Sea in England where he was treated until 1st December 1917. He returned to the Western Front and on 13th October 1918 he was again wounded whilst in action but on this occasion died as the result of his wounds. He has no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Ypres, Menin Gate memorial.

From Notts Free Press - 8th November, 1916 - Private A.E. Smith, Huthwaite 'Official notice was received last Friday of the death from wounds at Etaples, France, of Private A.E. Smith, 13531, 10th. Battalion Notts and Derby Regiment. He died on October 13th. Private Smith, whose 30th. birthday would have occurred this week, lived at 78, Newcastle Street, Huthwaite, when he enlisted over four years ago, a fortnight after the war broke out to be precise. He was then employed by the Ripley Urban District Council. A year ago he was wounded seriously in the leg. He leaves a widow, but no children.' A letter from a chum, dated October 13th. reads as follows:- 'A few brief lines, trusting you will not be quite so shocked as I anticipate, but I have the great misfortune to inform you that your husband has passed away from wounds, which he received whilst dressing the wound of one of his chums. He was greatly liked by the platoon, and the lads send their deepest sympathy to you. His personal belongings you will no doubt receive before many days, as they were securely packed and ready for sending. I thought it my painful duty to relieve you of the monotony of not hearing from him. - Private H.E. Raferty.'