Albert Priestley

Albert was the son of Isaac and Elizabeth Priestley (née Smith). Isaac was born in Barton in Fabis in about 1849, the son of Thomas and Mary Priestley and was baptised in the parish church of St. George on 30 May 1846. Elizabeth was born in about 1849, also in Barton in Fabis, the daughter of John and Ann Smith, and was baptised at St. George on 7 May 1849. Isaac and Elizabeth were married at St. George's on 24 June 1872. They had nine children all of whom were born in Barton in Fabis; the ones for whom baptismal records have been traced were baptised at St George: James b. 1872, Ada birth registered 1874 (J/F/M), Esther b. 1875 bap. 16 January 1876, Harriet b. abt 1878 bap. 28 April 1878, Florence b. abt. 1881 bap. 3 April 1881, Albert b. 1884 bap. 13 July 1884, Isaac birth registered 1887 (J/F/M) bap. 27 March 1887, Arthur b. 1889 and Sarah b. 1891. Isaac and Elizabeth were recorded in the village on the four census after their marriage and.were still living there when the CWGC record was compiled. By 1881 Isaac (35) a plaster miner, and Elizabeth (32) had five children: James (8), Ada (7), Esther (5), Harriet (3) and Florence (under one year). Also in the household was Elizabeth's brother, Thomas Smith (49), who was a plaster miner. In 1891, by which time Isaac and Elizabeth had had nine children, only the six youngest were in the home on the night of the census: Harriet, a domestic servant, Florence, Albert (6), Isaac (4), Arthur (2) and Sarah (under one year), Thomas Smith was still living with the family but described as a lodger. James, Ada and Esther have not yet been traced on the census. Only Harriet, a housemaid, Isaac, a horse boy on a farm, Arthur and Sarah were recorded in the family home on the night of the 1901 census. Esther had married Ernest Priestley in 1899 and was probably living in Nottingham. Both Albert and Isaac enlisted in the Grenadier Guards; Albert in 1904 and Isaac in 1905. Albert bought his discharge by purchase after only 30 days, but Isaac, who had also enlisted on a short service engagement (3 years with the Colours, 9 years Reserve), served at home for three years from 21 June 1905, transferring to the Reserve on 22 June 1908. When Albert enlisted in 1904 he named his parents and Esther, James, Isaac and Arthur as his next of kin. His brothers were still living with their parents but Esther, now married, was living in Nottingham. The following year when Isaac enlisted he named his parents and eight siblings as his next of kin. Esther was still living in Nottingham, Ada's address was not known, Harriet and Sarah were living at home and Florence (Hall) was living at End Farm, near Tamworth, Warwickshire. Arthur was also living at home but James and Albert were in London, addresses 'not known'. By 1911 James (38) and Albert (26) were back in the family home along with Isaac; all three were plaster miners. The youngest daughter, Sarah was also still living at home. Isaac Priestly probably died in 1924 and his widow Elizabeth in 1933. Albert's younger brother Isaac, also served in the Grenadier Guards in the war; he survived (see 'Extra information').