Albert Edward Armitage
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Albert Edward was the son of Willey (or Willie) and Harriett Armitage (née Fox). His father Willey was born in Blacker Hill, Yorkshire, on 12 February 1867, the son of John Henry Armitage, an engine wright. His mother Harriett was born in Mortonley, Yorkshire, on 2 October 1868, the daughter of Edward Fox, a miner. Willie (22), an engine tenter of West Bank, Hoyland, and Harriett (22) were married at St Peter's church, Tankerley, York, on 16 October 1889. They had four children of whom only two survived: Eveline b. 22 March 1890 bap. Wentworth parish church 4 May 1890 and Albert Edward b. 22 April 1891 bap. Wentworth 2 July or 2 August 1891 (two records, different baptismal dates). Both children were born at Harley near Wentworth in the Rotherham registration district. In 1901 Willey, a colliery mechanic, and Harriett were living at 63 Hoyland Road, Nether Hoyland, Barnsley, with their two children Eveline (11) and Albert (9). Also in the household was a boarder, Thomas Underwood (19 b. Doncaster), a railway waggon builder. The family home was at 70 Hoyland Road in 1911; Willey's occupation was now given as colliery engine wright. Eveline, a school teacher, was in the home on the night of the census but Albert was a student and boarder at a Church of England Training College on Swindon Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Following training Albert taught at Barnsley Grammar School but according to an article in the local paper on his death in 1915 the family had moved to Mansfield about three years before and Albert had been employed as an assistant master at Mansfield's Yorke Street School. The family home was at 99 Carter Lane, Mansfield, and Albert's parents were still living there in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled; his father had by then retired from the colliery. Willey died in 1957 (J/A/S Mansfield) and his wife the following year on 22 August 1958; she was still living at 99 Carter Lane. Administration of her Will was awarded to her married daughter, Eveline De Barr. Eveline married Albert E De Barr in 1916 (O/N/D Mansfield). They had two sons: Albert Edward b. 21 April 1918 (reg. Mansfield) d. 1991 (reg. Macclesfield) and Jack b. 1921 (reg. Mansfield) d. 2017 (reg. Winchester). Her husband served in the York & Lancaster Regiment (16435) and was in France from 13 July 1915; he was discharged on 14 June 1917 (KR 392/XVI) and was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. In 1919 when Willey completed a form for the Army listing his son's surviving blood relatives he gave his married daughter Eveline's address as 48 Albert Avenue, Sedgeley Park, Manchester. Eveline was recorded living in Leeds in 1939 with her sons Albert, a research student, and Jack (record closed). Her husband died in 1963 (A/M/J Surrey). Eveline died on 19 November 1980; the probate record gave her address as 16 Mount Close, Winchester, Hampshire.
'C' Company 1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) Albert's Army Service Record survives. He enlisted in Mansfield on 21 September 1914. He was on Home Service to 1 March 1915 then France from 2 March 1915 until his death three months later. The 1/8th battalion was in the area of Kemmel in 1915 and early in June 'took over more of the J and K trenches, with the reserve company at Siege Farm and Battalion Headquarters at Rossignol Farm.' ('History of the 1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters 1914-1919', Capt. WCC Weetman) On 15 June 1915 the enemy, whose trenches were within 60-70 yards of the battalion's front line, exploded three mines, one of which blew up a portion of J3 Right trench, killing at least two men. Some enemy soldiers got into the mine crater but were repelled by 'C' Company. The battalion's casualties that day included two officers, a corporal and eight men killed. Albert Edward was killed by a shell on 15 June while fetching ammunition. He was buried that night in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref D.65). Albert Edward served a total of 263 days, 106 days in France/Belgium. He qualified for the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
1/8th Bn casualties, 15 June 1915: Lieutenant AFO Dobson (grave ref. D.64), Lieutenant WH Hollins (D.70), Corporal F Wilcox (D.71), Privates AE Armitage (D.65), B Cox (D.67), FW Hill (D.66), P May (D.72), RW Moakes (D.69) and W Richardson (D.68) buried Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery and Privates OL Bryan, and A Cook commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Listed in Nottinghamshire County Council register of employees who served in the war (Nottinghamshire Archives ref CC CL 2/12/1/1) Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser: 24/06/1915: keen hockey (played for TBSOSA) and tennis player. Mansfield Reporter, 25 June 1915: ‘Private AE Armitage. Amongst the intimations received during the past days of the fallen is once concerning Private Albert E Armitage, the only son of Mr and Mrs Armitage, of 99 Carter-lane. Private Armitage’s father is employed as a mechanic at the Mansfield Colliery, and the young soldier’s parents and members of the family have been the recipients of many expressions of sympathy. He was educated at the Barnsley Grammar School, where, in 1906, he gained 3rd class honours in the Oxford Junior examination, and also gained second class honours in the Oxford Senior examination in 1909. He was trained in St Paul’s College, Cheltenham, between the years 1909 and 1911, and there came out at the top of the certificated list. Prior to coming to Mansfield three years ago he was assistant master at Woreboro’ Dale Council Schools, Barnsley, and afterwards up to the time of his enlistment, he was assistant master at the Yorke-street Council Schools, Mansfield Woodhouse. He took much interest in pastimes, particularly hockey and tennis. Private Armitage enlisted in the 9th Sherwood Foresters, on the 26th September, and was stationed at Newark, and then Braintree, and finally Luton. He went to France on February 27th. In a letter addressed to his sister a few days before the arrival of the sad news of his death, it is interesting to note a reference to a cricket match, which was played, in which a number of local Territorials took part, including Lieut H Hollins [k. 15 June 1915]. ’There is an interesting cricket match being played on our field,’ he says, ‘between our Company and the ‘A’ Company, and I think we are winning. We find time occasionally for a few games like that. I think I told you that Captain Wright [HG Wright], was killed last Sunday [6 June]. I believe I am to be the observer for the Captain who has taken his place. I was recommended for a stripe about a week ago.’ The news of Private Armitage’s death was conveyed in the following letter, dated the 16th inst., from Lieut. Handford:- ‘Dear Mrs Armitage, I am very sorry to have to tell you that your son was killed last night by a shell. He had been sent to fetch some more ammunition, and died doing his duty, as he always did. He was Captain Wright’s most valued man, You have my most sincere sympathy in your loss, and I can assure you that the whole platoon will feel the loss of him. Your son is being buried to-night in the military cemetery. Yours sincerely, Basil Handford, Lieutenant [killed Hohenzollern Redoubt 15 October 1915].’ Other letters were received from three of his comrades, one of whom says that Private Armitage was buried near to Lieut. Hollins.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, 25 June 1915: ‘The 8th Sherwoods Badly Damaged. This interesting letter has been received by Mrs Wilson, wife of Ald. JL Wilson, from her son who is at the front. In the letter, which refers to the death of Lance Corporal Charlie Wilson, he adds that he attended Charlie’s burial ‘in a special ground we have in a village, just behind our lines’ [Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery] Just as we were waiting for the chaplain (about 9.15pm) there came from the trenches a terrific report, followed by two others almost instantly. At the same time the sky was lighted up by [a] tremendous flash, followed by a continuous roar of rifle fire and artillery. Of course, we knew immediately that it was a mine blown up, and that it must have been a German one, too. I cannot describe to you what it was like, but for at least an hour the roar was simply deafening.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, 25 June 1915: ‘8th Sherwood Foresters Ranks Thinned. Towards the end of last week Mansfield and district received bad news of her sons fighting in France … The first intelligence received that the 8th Sherwood Foresters’ Battalion had been in the thick of the fighting, announced the death of Lieut. Humphrey Hollins, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Wm Hollins, Berry Hill … Then came the sad intelligence of other brave lads’ deaths: Corporal Wilson and Privates Frank Hill, Armitage, (of Carter Lane, and Spademan. On the same day Private Percy May was killed, but it was not until Monday of this week that his father was apprised of the fact … Memorial Service. A memorial service to Lieutenant Hollins was held in St Peter’s Church on Saturday afternoon … The service was conducted by the vicar (Rev FJ Adams), who also took a similar service held in the parish church on Sunday evening, to the memory of Lieut Hollins, Corporal Wilson and Privates Hill, Armitage, and Spademan … Five of their communicants had gone in a week – Humphrey Hollins, Charles Wilson, Frank Hill and from St Lawrence’s there were Privates Armitage and Spademan.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottinghamshire County Council Education Committee Elementary minutes 27 July 1915, item 15 'Roll of Honour': 'It is with great regret that the Committee records the death in action of Private A E Armitage of the 8th Notts and Derby, a Certificated Assistant on the staff of Mansfield Woodhouse Yorke Street Council School.' Probate: Armitage Albert Edward of 99 Carter-lane Mansfield Nottinghamshire private in His Majesty’s Army died 15 June 1915 at France or Belgium Administration 29 February [1916] to Willey Armitage colliery mechanic. Effects £103.
