Albert Oakden
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Albert was the son of John Thomas and Louisa Oakden (née Kirk). His father John Thomas Oakden was born in Derby in about 1864 and his mother Louisa Kirk in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, on 31 October 1865. They were married in 1889 (reg. Nottingham) and had five children, the four older ones were born in Warrington, Lancashire, and the youngest in Preston, Lancashire: Alice b. 1892, Clara Lydia b. 1893, Louisa b. 1895, Albert b. 1896 and Harry Lewis b. 1899. In 1891 John (26) a coach builder, and Louisa (25) were living on Aikin Street, Warrington. However, by 1901 they were at Scott Street, Liscard, Birkenhead, with their five children Alice (8), Clara (7), Louisa (6), Albert (4) and Harry (1). John Thomas probably died in 1905 (reg. Rochdale Lancs) and by 1911 his widow Louisa was living at 5 Lambert Street, Hyson Green, Nottingham, with her five children: Alice a finished net mender (lace factory), Clara a blouse machinist (blouse factory), Louisa a cigarette packer and Albert a cigarette maker (tobacco factory) and Harry who was still at school. Louisa was living at 136a Birkin Street, Hyson Green, when her younger son, Harry, attested in December 1917. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled she was living with her unmarried daughter, Louisa, a tobacco stripper, at the same address. Louisa snr. has not yet been traced after 1939.
2/7th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) Albert was killed on 26 September 1917. He is buried in the Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. XII. C. 19). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Tyne Cot Cemetery (extract): ''Tyne Cot' or 'Tyne Cottage' was the name given by the Northumberland Fusiliers to a barn which stood near the level crossing on the Passchendaele-Broodseinde road. The barn, which had become the centre of five or six German blockhouses, or pill-boxes, was captured by the 3rd Australian Division on 4 October 1917, in the advance on Passchendaele. One of these pill-boxes was unusually large and was used as an advanced dressing station after its capture ... The cemetery was in German hands again from 13 April to 28 September, when it was finally recaptured, with Passchendaele, by the Belgian Army. Tyne Cot Cemetery was greatly enlarged after the Armistice when remains were brought in from the battlefields of Passchendaele and Langemarck, and from a few small burial grounds, including the following [listed].' (www.cwgc.org)
Albert's younger brother Harry Lewis attested on 19 December 1917. He was 18 years 44 days old, a hosiery trimmer and living with his widowed mother at 136a Birkin Avenue, Hyson Green. He was mobilised on 2 January 1918 and joined 'C' Coy 7th Bn Sherwood Foresters (99060). However, he transferred to the 5th (R) Bn Guards Machine Gun Regiment (2422) on 22 April 1918. Harry embarked Folkestone 28 June 1918 disembarking Boulogne the same day, joining his unit on 29 June. However, he was admitted to 20 General Hospital the same day and did not rejoin his unit until 7 July. On 30 August Harry was posted to the 4th Bn Guards Machine Gun Regiment. He served at home from 16 March 1919 and was demobilised on 23 November 1919 to 136a Birkin Avenue. He had served a total of 1 year 326 days. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Louisa Oakden, of 136A, Birkin Avenue, Nottingham, and the late John Thomas Oakden.' Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother Louisa was his sole legatee
