Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Albert William Tate was born on the September 1877 in Dorking, Surrey to chimney sweep Henry and Sarah.
Albert’s father Henry was born in 1847 in Bookham to labourer Henry snr, born around 1823 in Betchworth and Harriet, born around 1813 in Dorking. He was baptised in January 1847 in Great Bookham, Surrey, where the family were living. His mother Sarah was born in November 1850 in Cobham, Surrey to sawyer Charles, born around 1823 in Betchworth and Isabella, born around 1825 in Mickleham. Sarah was baptised in December 1850 in Cobham, where the family were living. At the time of the 1871 Census, Henry was staying with his uncle, chimney sweep, William Stonestreet at Church Street in Dorking and was working as a chimney sweep assistant, while Sarah was working as a housemaid, and lodging in Kingston. Henry and Sarah married in October 1874 in St John’s Wood, London. At the time of their marriage the couple lived in Garden Road and Henry was working as a sweep.
Albert had six siblings of whom four are known: Alice Isabel born 1876; Harry born 1880; Edgar Osborne born 1890 and Evelyn Jessie born 1892 – all in Dorking.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived in Back Lane, Dorking. Henry was working as a chimney sweep and Sarah was at home looking after their children. The household further comprised of Henry’s mother Harriet Tate and his cousin, assistant sweep, Philip Tate.
In October 1884 Albert was admitted into the St Martin’s Church of England School for boys. By this time the family were living in Church Street, Dorking.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 44 Church Street. Henry was still working as a chimney sweep, along with Albert, while Sarah was at home. By this time Alice was a draper’s assistant and Edgar and Evelyn were at school.
In 1911 Census, the family were still living at the same five room house in Dorking with Henry and Albert still working as chimney sweeps. Sarah stated that she had given birth to seven children of whom five were still alive.
Albert William Tate, 39, chimney sweep, and a member of the Fire Brigade, who had been exempted till June 1st, now asked for further time, but his application was dismissed.
Albert William Tate Military Tribunal Report © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
By the age of 39 Albert was both a chimney sweep and a member of the fire brigade. He had been temporarily exempted from military service until 1st June 1916. He requested an extension to his exemption, but his application was dismissed and he also lost an appeal on 24th June 1916 at the Surrey Appeal Military Tribunal, held in the Guildhall at Guildford. His grounds of appeal were business reasons and being indispensable.
Albert enlisted into the 6th Battalion the Royal Fusiliers. He was a Private with regimental number G/42542. He died on 3rd August 1916 in Dover, where he had been in training for only a fortnight.
The 1916 Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser reads: “Deceased reported himself sick on July 30th, and was admitted to the hospital in the Duke of York’s Schools. The next day he was transferred to the Military Hospital Western Heights; and died early on Thursday morning.”
He was buried on 8th August 1916 at the Dorking Municipal Cemetery. His grave reference number is 19.9987. The headstone bears the inscription: ‘Peace Perfect Peace’.
“The funeral was largely attended. The body, covered in Union Jack, was carried on the manual of the Dorking Fire Brigade, with which deceased had been connected for some years. The cortege was headed by Sgt Lightfoot, and six members of the Dorking Police, who were followed by the firemen – numbering over fifty – the Dorking Brigade, in addition to the Chief Officer, being also represented by Supt. F. Hudson and Assist. Supt. Baverstock, and ten firemen.” (1916 Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser)
At the time of his death, Albert’s parents were living at 37 Church Street in Dorking, Surrey.
Albert’s mother Sarah received £1 and 16s in March 1917 in Soldier’s Effects, and his father Henry 6s.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Henry and Sarah Tate of 37 Church Street, Dorking | |
| Regiment | 6th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers | |
| Number | G/42542 | |
| Date of Death | 3rd August 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Dover | |
| Cause of Death | Illness | |
| Age | 39 | |
| Cemetery | Dorking Cemetery |
