Albert Henry Wagstaffe
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
CWGC, military and civil records: surname Wagstaff Albert Henry was the son of Henry Wagstaff and his first wife Martha Ellen (née Richmond). His father Henry was born in 1862 at Branston, Lincolnshire, and his mother Martha Ellen Richmond was born in 1864 at Boston, Lincolnshire. They were married in 1886 (reg. Boston) and had at least five children: Rose Mary b. 1887 bap. Kirton in Holland October 1887, and Francis William b. 1890 bap. Kirton in Holland January 1891 d. 1891 who were both born in Swinehead, Lincolnshire, and Leonard William Richmond b. 1892 bap. Kirton in Holland December 1892, Albert Henry b. 1894 bap. Kirton in Holland December 1894 and Ernest Alfred b. 1896 bap. Wellow St Swithin November 1896 who were born at Wellow, In 1891 Henry, a blacksmith, his wife and son Francis (under 1 year), who died later that year, were living on Low Street, Wellow. Also in the household was Henry's brother, George (17) an apprentice blacksmith. Their daughter Rose was in the home of her maternal grandparents, William and Sarah Richmond, in Kirton, Lincolnshire, on the night of the census. By 1901 Henry, a colliery blacksmith, Martha and their four surviving children were living at 5 Market Street, Shirebrook. Also in the household was a boarder, Harry Hackett, a stonemason. Martha Ellen died at the age of 37 in 1901 (reg. O/N/D) and in 1906 Henry married Louisa Johnson (b. 1873 Bassingham, Lincolnshire). Henry and Louisa were living at 32 Warsop Vale, Mansfield, by 1911. Henry's three sons, Leonard William Richmond a coal miner, Albert Henry a wagon labeller and Ernest Alfred a coal sorter were in the home on the night of the census together with Henry's grandchild, Hilda Ena Wagstaff (b. Warsop with Sookholme Notts. 1907, mother's maiden name Wagstaff) who was probably Rose's child. Rose was a visitor in the home of Charles and Alice Priestley of Warsop Vale. A report of Albert's death in the local paper gave his father's address as 31 Warsop Vale. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Henry, who was still working as a colliery blacksmith, and his wife were living on Station Road, Blackwell, Derbyshire. Louisa died in 1947 and Henry in 1949.
120th Battery Royal Garrison Artillery. Formerly 5435 Smethwick 148th Heavy Battery RGA. The RGA's Heavy Batteries were equipped with heavy guns usual armament 60 pounder (5 inch guns) and their main role was to 'destroy or neutralise enemy artillery as well as putting destructive fire down on strongpoints, dumps, stores, roads and railways behind enemy lines.' (www.longlongtrail.co.uk) The 120th Heavy Battery served in France from 27 March 1916 and the 148th Heavy Battery was in France from 17 July 1916. Gunner Albert Wagstaff enlisted at Mansfield, probably in late 1915/early 1916. He was killed in action on 25 January 1917 and is buried at Bazentin-Le- Petit Military Cemetery, France (grave ref. D.20). CWGC - History of Bazentin-Le-Petit Military Cemetery (extract). Bazentin is in the Department of the Somme, to the north-east of the town of Albert. 'Bazentin was in German hands until 14 July 1916 when the 3rd and 7th Divisions captured the two villages (and the communal cemetery) and held them against counter-attacks, and the 21st Division captured Bazentin-le-Petit Wood. The ground was lost in April 1918 during the great German advance but recaptured on the following 25 August by the 38th (Welsh) Division. The military cemetery was begun at the end of July 1916 (initially called Singer Circus Cemetery) and used as a front-line cemetery until May 1917.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC: WAGSTAFF. Other military and civil records also have surname Wagstaff. Both his brothers enlisted. Leonard attested on 31 October 1914 and was posted to the 12th Bn Sherwood Foresters (18278 Private). He was 22 years old, working as a coal miner and married with one child (m. Mary Morris 1913, child May b. 1914). He was discharged medically unfit under KR 392 iii.c. ('not likely to become an efficient soldier') having served for only 62 days. Ernest Alfred, a coal face worker, was 18 years old when he joined the Royal Navy on a 12 year short service engagement (5 years RN, 7 years Royal Fleet Reserve) as an Ordinary Seaman on 1 June 1915 . He was adanced to Able Seman on 31 August 1916 while serving in HMS Barham (19 August 1915-12 February 1917). He served to 29 June 1920 and joined the RFR the following day. Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser, 8 February 1917: 'Warsop Vale Soldier Killed. Gunner Albert Wagstaff of 31 Warsop Vale. He worked at Warsop Main. A member of Warsop Vale Colliery. Described as having "a good disposition and much thought of by his mates". He died instantaneously.' Mansfield Reporter, 9 February 1917: ‘Warsop Vale Gunner Killed. From the sub-joined letter it will be seen that another Warsop Vale lad has made the great sacrifice. Gunner A Wagstaffe (sic), the son of Mr and Mrs Wagstaffe, of 31, Warsop Vale, enlisted about a year ago, and was previously employed as a clerk at the Warsop Main Colliery. The letter received by Mrs Wagstaffe, dated 26 January, 1917, states: ‘It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you of the death in action of your son, Gunner A Wagstaffe. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, a true comrade and an excellent soldier. He could have felt no pain as his death was instantaneous.’ (www/britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser, 15 February 1917: photograph. WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Card: named his mother (sic), Louisa. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father Henry was his legatee.
