Albert Norton Croft

Albert Norton was the son of Robert Croft and his wife Mary nee Gilbert. Both his parents were born in Great Barford, Bedfordshire, Robert in 1849 (J/F/M Bedford) and Mary in about 1848. They were married in 1870 (A/M/J Bedford) and had at least eight children: William J. b. Great Barford abt. 1871, Charles Henry b. Great Barford 8 July 1873 (J/A/S Bedford) bap. 18 October 1876 Primitive Methodist Ripley Circuit Derbyshire, Emily Ann b. Selston Derbyshire 23 November 1875 bap. 18 October 1876 Primitive Methodist Ripley Circuit, John b. Felley Notts birth registered 1878 (J/F/M Basford), Albert Norton b. Hucknall Torkard birth registered 1883 (J/F/M Basford), Louisa b. Hucknall Torkard birth registered 1885 (J/F/M Basford), George Edward b. b. Hucknall Torkard 1887 (A/M/J Basford) and Robert b. Hucknall Torkard birth registered 1892 (J/F/M Basford). In 1891 Robert (42), a colliery worker, and Mary (43) were living at 15 James Street, Hucknall, with their children Charles (17), Emily Ann (15), John (13), Albert (8), Louisa (6) and George Edward (4). They were still at the same address ten years later in 1901. Robert was working as a colliery train repairer (above ground) and five of the six children still at home were also in work: Charles (27) and John (23) who were both coal hewers, Albert (19) a house painter, Louisa (16) a general servant domestic and George (13) an errand boy. Robert (9), the youngest child, was still at school. The eldest boy, William, and his sister, Emily Ann, who had probably married in 1898 (A/M/J Basford), have not yet been traced on the 1901 Census. Mary Croft, died in 1909 (J/F/M Basford) and her widowed husband, Robert, remained at 15 James Street, Hucknall, where in 1911 he was living with his unmarried son, Albert (28) and his married daughter Louisa (26) and son-in-law Arthur James Smedley (26), a colliery weigh clerk, who had married in 1910 (J/F/M Basford). Robert, now 62 years old, was working as a colliery lamp examiner (above ground). The same year, William (39), a coal miner hewer, was living with his wife of nine years, Alice (31), and their two children Kitty AM (9) and Douglas R (3) at 48 Victoria Street, Warsop, Mansfield. Also in the household was his widowed mother-in-law, Alice Till (69), and a boarder, John Greece (21). Charles Henry (37), a coal miner hewer, was living at 17 Scarcliff Street, Mansfield, in 1911 with his wife Emma Elizabeth (34) and their two daughters Hilda Mary (3) and Laura Elizabeth (1). John (33), a coal miner hewer, was living at 17 James Street, Hucknall Torkard, with his wife, Sarah Ann nee Curtis (31) whom he had married in 1902 (J/A/S Basford). They had had two children of whom only one survived, Mary Elizabeth (5). Robert's three other children, Emily Jane, George and Robert junior have not yet been traced on the 1911 census. However, George married Priscilla Hopkin Pearson (b. 7 September 1888 O/N/D Basford) in 1888 (J/A/S Nottingham). George served with the 13th Battery, 17th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (152009 Gunner) in the war and was killed in action on 19 April 1917 (Arras Memorial). His widow's address was given as 48 Highbury Avenue, Bulwell, on the CWGC record. Priscilla never remarried and died on 22 February 1972 (Mar Basford) aged 83 (buried 28 February, Basford Cemetery). . Albert married Rose Hall in 1915 (O/N/D Basford) and at the time of his death in 1917 they were living at 95 Montague Road, Hucknall Torkard. (Note: CWGC record gives widow's name as 'Rene') Robert Croft died on 12 April 1931 (Jun Basford) aged 82; he was living on Annesley Road, Hucknall, at the time of his death. His sons Charles and Robert, both coal miners, were awarded probate. The eldest son, William, may have died in 1931 (Dec Bingham) aged 60. The youngest daughter, Louisa (Smedley), died in 1934 (Dec Basford) aged 50. John died on 12 March 1949 aged 71; his home address was then 15 James Street, Hucknall. His wife, Sarah Ann, survived him and was awarded probate.