Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Albert Edwards was born in the 1st quarter of 1877 in Shipley, Surrey to Edward and Mary Ann Johnson.
More information on Albert Edwards family can be found on his brother, Arthurs page.
At the time of the 1891 Census, Albert Edwards was a boarder of farmer William Witington at Calebs Brook, Kirdford, Sussex. Albert was working as an agricultural labourer.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Ranmore Farm, Little Bookham, Surrey.
Albert married Annie Ethel Giles, on 24th December 1904 at St Paul’s Church in Dorking. At the time of their wedding Albert was working as a deliveryman and lived at Flint Hill, Holmwood, Surrey. Annie lived at 61 Orchard Road, Dorking.
Annie was born in the 2nd quarter of 1880 in Forest Green, Surrey to Ephraim, born about 1837 in Shere, Surrey and Alice, born about 1846 in Surrey. At the time of the 1901 Census, Annie’s family lived at 61 Orchard Road in Dorking. Ephraim was working as a farm labourer and carter and Alice was at home. The household further comprised of their daughters: housemaid Mary and cook Annie Ethel.
Albert Edwards had three children, all born in Dorking: Annie Kathleen born on 25th August 1905, and baptised on 1st October 1905 at St Martin’s Church. Albert William born on 29th November 1906 and baptised on 20th January 1907 at St Martin’s Church. Gwendoline F. Edwards was born in the 2nd quarter of 1914 in Dorking.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Albert and his family lived at 2 Punch Bowl Lane in Dorking. Albert was working as a farm labourer and Annie was looking after their children: Albert and Annie. The household further comprised of Annie’s father Ephraim. The accommodation had two rooms.
Albert enlisted on 28th May 1917 in Guildford, Surrey into the Army Veterinary Corps. He was a Private with regimental number: SE/28777. At the time of his enlistment he lived at 19 Church Street, Dorking and was working as a gardener and stableman. He was over 5ft tall, had a pale complexion, brown eyes and grey hair.
He was the part of the British Expeditionary Force in France from 14th March 1918 to 3rd August 1918.
He was diagnosed with a tumour on the left side of his neck and admitted into the 3rd Stationary Hospital in the field on 21st July 1918 in France.
Albert was sent to England on 4th August 1918 and admitted into the War Hospital, Clapton, Stratford on Avon and then on 14th August 1918 into the 1st Southern General Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
He was discharged from the Army on 17th September 1918 in Woolwich, as he was no longer physically fit for War Service. At the time of his discharge he was part of the Army Veterinary Corps, Woolwich Depot.
Albert died from the neck tumour on 5th September 1919 in Dorking.
He was buried on 9th September 1919 at Dorking Cemetery. His cemetery reference number is: 17.9464D. He was 42 years old.
Photograph courtesy of Lois Leyland
His headstone bears the inscription: “Peace Perfect Peace”.
His wife Annie later lived at 7 Horsham Road, Dorking, Surrey.
Albert’s brother Arthur Edwards was killed in action on the 13th of June 1918 on board of HMAV Patia sunk by the German submarine in Bristol Channel.
| Born | Shipley, Sussex | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| . | ||
| Son of | Edward and Mary Edwards | |
| Husband of | Annie Ethel Edwards of 7 Horsham Road, Dorking | |
| Father of | Annie Kathleen, Albert William and Gwendoline | |
| . | ||
| Regiment | Army Veterinary Corps | |
| Number | 28777 | |
| . | ||
| Date of Death | 5th September 1919 | |
| Place of Death | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Cause of Death | Tumour on his neck | |
| . | ||
| Age | 42 | |
| . | ||
| Cemetery | Dorking Cemetery |
