Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Albert Ernest Handley was born on 27th June 1890 in Woodstock, Oxfordshire to carpenter Albert Ernest and Jane Handley nee Bridgman.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived in Old Woodstock. Albert was still working as a carpenter and Jane was looking after their children: Alfred George, Lucy May, Annie Elizabeth, William Arthur and Albert Ernest.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Punch Bowl Lane in Dorking. Albert snr was working as an estate clerk and Jane was at home. The household further comprised of their children: carpenter Alfred, dressmaker Lucy, Annie, William, Albert, Frederick and Daisy.
On 10th September 1907 Albert became a booking clerk at Boxhill railway station, for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company. On 7th April 1910 he was transferred to Mitcham.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Albert’s family lived at 33 Hart Road in Dorking. Albert Snr was still working as a carpenter, with Jane at home. The household further comprised of their children: dressmaker Lucy, Annie, gas fitter assistant Frederick and cashier Daisy. Jane stated that she had given birth to seven children. The house had six rooms.
Albert Handley attested on 8th November 1915 in Eastbourne, Sussex into the 3rd Home Counties Divisional Signal Company. He became part of the Royal Engineers. He was a sapper with regimental number 3708. At the time of his enlistment he lived at Brook Cottage, London Road, Dorking. His parents and their son Frederick also lived at the Cottage. His sister Annie lived at Boxlands, London Road.
Albert served from 8th November 1915 to 2nd January 1917 on the home front and from the 3rd of January 1917 until his death in Salonika.
DEATH ON HOSPITAL SHIP
Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Handley, Brook House, London Road, Dorking have received the sad news of the death on board the hospital ship which was bringing him home of their son, Sapper Albert E. Handley, of the Signal Service, Royal Engineers. He had been ill for several months in Salonika. Before joining the Army in 1915 Sapper Handley was employed as a clerk on the L.B. and S.C. Railway, Mr and Mrs Handley have three other sons in the Army.
Albert Ernest Handley Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
At the time of his death he was part of the Signal Service of the Royal Engineers. He was a sapper and his new regimental number was 538552.
Albert Handley died on the 16th of March 1918 in Malta on board of a hospital ship bound for home after several months’ illness in Salonika. He suffered from carcinoma of intestines and liver.
He is buried at the Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta. His cemetery reference is: C.XVII.5.
Albert Handley received the British War and Victory medals.
Prior to his enlistment Albert was working as a clerk in the employ of the L. B. and S. C. Railway Company. The last place he was stationed in was Sutton. At the time of his death his family lived at Brook House, London Road, Dorking.
Albert Ernest Handley Snr received £28 and 7d on the 16th of October 1918 in Soldier’s Effects. He died in 1926 in Dorking.
Handley Family History
Albert’s father Albert was born in the 2nd quarter of 1856 in Malvern, Worcestershire to carpenter William Handley, born about 1825 in Hallow, Worcestershire and Elizabeth Handley, born about 1818 in Herefordshire. His mother Jane Bridgman was born about 1858 in Worcester, Worcestershire to beer house keeper John Bridgman, born about 1824 in Gloucestershire and Kezia Bridgman, born about 1825 in Pershore, Worcestershire. Jane was baptised on 6th February 1859 at Claines, Worchester. Albert and Jane married in the 1st quarter of 1880 in Upton on Severn, Worcestershire.
Albert had six siblings: Alfred George born about 1881 and Lucy May born about 1884 in Worcester. Annie Elizabeth born about 1886; William Arthur born about 1888 and Frederick, born about 1893, all in Woodstock, Oxfordshire and Daisy Alice born about 1895 in Dorking.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived with Albert snr’s brother in law, stoker, Joseph Dove and his family at Little London, Worcester, Claines, Worcestershire. Albert Ernest was working as a carpenter and Jane was looking after their son Alfred.
| Born | Woodstock, Oxfordshire | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Albert Ernest and Jane Handley nee Bridgman | |
| Regiment | Base Signal Depot, Royal Engineers | |
| Number | 538552 | |
| Date of Death | 16th March 1918 | |
| Place of Death | Salonika | |
| Cause of Death | Liver Cancer | |
| Age | 28 | |
| Cemetery | Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta |
