Albert Weldon
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Albert was born in 1886 in Sutton in Ashfield and was the son of George a bricklayer's labourer and Mary Ann Weldon, who lived at 37 Phoenix Street, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. George and Mary had a total of 9 children. Arthur , Albert , Edith, Ethel , Herbert and Elizabeth survived infancy. In 1901 he lived on Phoenix Street with his grandparents William and Elizabeth while his parents and siblings also lived on Phoenix Street. By 1911 the whole family was living at 37 Phoenix Street.
Albert, by this time a colliery banksman, was conscripted on 18th May 1916. A note is included in his service record asking the recruiting officer if he was suitable for the Tunnelling Service Companies , presumably as his occupation was that of colliery banksman. The reply came back 'This man worked on the surface and is not accustomed to tunnelling .’ On 23rd May 1916 he was posted to the Durham Light Infantry. It would appear that he did not see any overseas service and was on home duties throughout his time with the Durham light Infantry. On 15th March 1917 he was transferred to the reserves as class W, ( see note in extra information ) and he became a munitions worker. On 26th March 1919 he died of heart failure. His death certificate dated the following day 27th March states he was 33 years of age and that he was a munitions worker. The informant was his sister Elizabeth Wood who was present at his death at his home in Phoenix Street, Sutton in Ashfield.
Class W Reserve and its Territorial Force equivalent Class W(T) were introduced in June 1916 by Army Order 203/16. They were ‘for all those soldiers whose services are deemed to be more valuable to the country in civil rather than military employment’. Men in these classes were to receive no emoluments from army funds and were not to wear uniform. They were liable at any time to be recalled to the colours. From the time a man was transferred to Class W, until being recalled to the Colours, he was not subject to military discipline.
