Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Albert “Bertie” Victor Ede was born on 28th February 1899 in Dorking to ironmonger porter William and Catherine Ede nee Laker. Bertie was baptised on 11th June 1899 at St Martin’s Church, Dorking. At the time of his baptism the family lived at 14 Mill Lane and William was working as a labourer.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 16 Mill Lane in Dorking. William was working as a brickyard labourer and Catherine was at home. The household further comprised of their children: Mary, Florence, brickyard labourer Alfred, George, Mabel, Bertie and William’s grandson William Joseph Ede. (William was the son of Annie who died in 1900 in Dorking Union Workhouse, father of the son is unknown)
On 2nd July 1902 Bertie Ede enlisted into St Martin’s Church of England School for Infants. At the time of his baptism the family were still living in Mill Lane. On 23rd April 1906, Bertie left the school.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 9 St Martin’s Place, Dorking. The household comprised of William, Catherine, their son Bertie and grandson William. Catherine stated that she had given birth to nine children, of whom, eight were still alive. The accommodation had four rooms.
Bertie Ede enlisted in Dorking into the 10th Battalion, the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was a Private with regimental number G/63542. At the time of his enlistment he lived in Dorking.
Bertie Ede was killed in an action on 21st March 1918 in France. His body was never found.
Arras Memorial Roll of Honour © CWGC.org
He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France on Bay 2.
He received the British War and Victory medals.
Bertie’s father William Ede died in 1919 in Dorking. His mother, Catherine Ede lived at 9 St Martin’s Place in Dorking. Catherine received £6, 6s and 9d on 2nd December 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Ede Family History
Bertie’s father William was born about 1851 in Whitford, Hertfordshire to labourer Henry and Sarah. William was baptised on 12th January 1851 in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
His mother Catherine Laker was born about 1855 in Reigate, to carter Richard, born about 1812 in West Grinstead, Sussex and Mary, born about 1826 in Betchworth.
William and Catherine married on 11th March 1877 at St Paul’s Church in Dorking. At the time of their marriage the couple lived at St Paul’s Road in Dorking. William was working as a porter.
Bertie Ede had eight siblings: Annie Elizabeth born about 1878; Sarah Emily born about 1879; William Henry born about 1881; Mary born about 1883; Alfred born about 1886; Florence born about 1888; George born about 1891 and Mabel born about 1894, all in Dorking, Surrey.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at Back Lane in Dorking. William was working as ironmonger’s porter and Catherine was looking after their children: Annie Elizabeth, Sarah Emily and William Henry. The household further comprised of William’s sister Eliza Ede.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at 7 Church Street, Dorking. William was still working as an ironmonger porter and Catherine was at home. The household further comprised of their children: servant Annie Elizabeth, William Henry, Mary, Alfred, Florence and George.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Katherine and William Ede of 9 St Martin’s Place Dorking | |
| Enlisted | Dorking | |
| Regiment | 10th Battalion, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) | |
| Number | G/63542 | |
| Date of Death | 21st March 1918 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 19 | |
| Memorial | Arras Memorial |
