Albert Edward Gearey
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Albert Edward was the son of Edward and Agnes Ann Geary (née Wharton). His father Edward was born in London on 26 June 1849. His mother Agnes Ann was born in Romford, Essex, in 1854 (J/F/M Romford Essex), the daughter of James Wharton. Her family later moved to Farnham, Surrey, and she married Edward on 5 June 1877 (A/M/J Farnham) in Farnham parish church. Edward was a colour sergeant in the 105th Regiment (Lincoln). Edward and Agnes had ten children, one of whom died in infancy: Edward b. Colchester 1878 bap. Garrison Church Colchester 1878; Charles James b. Londonderry Ireland 1880; Arthur George Wharton b. Boyle Ireland 1882; Alfred Edward b. Tynemouth Northumberland 1884; Agnes Hannah L. b. Malta 1886 d. Quetta India 1888; Helen Florence b. Quetta India 1888 bap. Quetta; Florence Elizabeth b. Barton upon Humber 1890 bap. Barton St Peter; Albert Edward b. Barton upon Humber 17 December 1892 bap. Barton St Peter 15 January 1893; Lilian Caroline b. Barton upon Humber 1895 bap. Barton St Mary and Margaret Victoria b. Barton upon Humber 1897 bap. Barton St Mary. Edward and Agnes lived in Colchester after their marriage in 1877 and their first child, Edward, was born there the following year. However, by 1880 Edward snr. had been posted to Ireland, where Charles and Arthur were born, followed by a posting to Northumberland where their fourth son, Alfred, was born in Tynemouth in 1884. Their next two children, Agnes and Helen, were born abroad, Agnes in Malta and Helen in Quetta, India, where Agnes died in 1888. Edward was back in the UK and living in Barton upon Humber by the time of the birth of their seventh child, Florence. The three youngest children, Albert, Lilian and Margaret, were also born in Barton upon Humber. Edward and Agnes were living in Newport Street, Barton upon Humber, in 1891; Edward was a colour sergeant (infantry). Living with them were their six surviving children: Edward (13), Charles (10), Arthur (8) Alfred (6), Helen (2) and Florence (under 1 year). The family had moved to Ferriby Road, Barton upon Humber, by 1901; Edward snr. had left the army and was a Singer sewing machine agent. Only the five youngest children, Helen (13), Florence (11), Albert (8), Lilian (6) and Margaret (3), were in the home on the night of the census. Edward (23), a student, was a visitor in the home of Londsdale Young, a Methodist minister, and his wife on Kensington Road, London. Charles had joined the Royal Navy on 3 July 1898, Arthur had attested in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in September 1896 and Alfred (16) was serving with the Royal Engineers (rank 'Boy') at Brompton Barracks, Gillingham, Kent. Edward snr. and Agnes were still living at 11 Ferriby Road in 1911; Edward (60) was now an army pensioner. Only Helen (22) described as 'mother's help', Lilian (16) a student and Margaret (13) who was at school, were still living at home. Charles was still serving in the Royal Navy, Arthur was serving with his regiment on the China/Hong Kong station and Albert (18) was a boarder at The Sacred Mission, Kelham. Edward, a Methodist minister was living in Lewisham, London; his wife and their two sons were staying with her parents in Luton on the night of the census. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled Edward snr. was living in Barton upon Humber with his unmarried daughter Helen who was his housekeeper. He died later that year aged 90 and was buried in Barton upon Humber on 20 November 1939. Albert's four brothers also served in the war: Edward was a Wesleyan Methodist Chaplain 4th Class to the forces. Charles served in the Royal Navy and was promoted Gunner on 19 October 1910 and on 19 October 1920 commissioned gunner. He retired in the 1930s in the rank of lieutenant commander. Arthur served in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry then from 15 September 1917 in the Royal Garrison Artillery. He served in the Army until 2 March 1919 having served for over 22 years at home and overseas in Gibraltar, South Africa, Hong Kong and France. He was discharged to his home address in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. Alfred served in the Yorkshire Light Infantry (2nd Lieut/Lieut.) and later in the Machine Gun Corps. He may have served in the army for some years after the end of the war. Two of Albert's nephews died in the Second World War: Edward's son Flight Lieutenant Paul Gearey 31 Sqn RAF died on 24 July 1942 and was buried in Madras War Cemetery, Chennai, India. Charles' son, Stoker 1st Class Charles James Wharton RN, HMS Stag died on 18 April 1941 at 19th General Hospital Geneifa, cause frontal sinusitis and abscess on frontal lobe, and was buried in Ismailia War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.
Formerly Prince of Wales' Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), 3000 Sergeant. Albert enlisted in December 1914 and served iniitally in the Prince of Wales' Own reaching the rank of sergeant. He was commissioned second lieutenant in the 8th Bn Sherwood Foresters in January 1916. He was awarded the Military Cross 'for gallant and distinquished conduct in the field' on 20 April 1917. Albert was killed in action on 17 October 1918. Accounts differ as to whether he was killed by a German sniper or by machine gun fire (see 'Extra information'). He was buried in Frenoy-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France (grave ref. B.10). Albert qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. A note on the medal index card reads 'No trace rank service overseas' suggesting that he did not serve in France until after he was promoted second lieutenant in 1916.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Until Gabriel sounds the last rally' Albert is also commemorated on: WMR 51700 St Peter Glandford Barton-on-Humber (redundant church), WMR 51703 ROH St Mary Glandford Barton-on-Humber and WMR 51704 'Men of Barton' New Cemetery Glandford Barton-on-Humber. War Diary (extract). 'Around April 19th/20th 1917: It was clear that no attempt to capture Hill 65 would be possible until the whole of Riaumont village was in our hands, and instructions to this effect were given to Capt. A. Hacking, operations to secure which were carried out on the night after relief in conjunction with the 6th Battalion on our right. The advance took place quietly in pitch darkness. Several parties of the enemy were encountered, some being killed and one captured. By midnight the Battalion's objective had been secured, and posts established in the Railway Cutting along the Company front. In this difficult and rather uncanny work of clearing and searching the houses and cellars of the village, Lieut. Geary, Sergt. Stokes and Corpl. Brett did splendid work, for which the first-named; who was the last Officer of the Battalion to be killed, a fortnight before Armistice; was awarded the Military Cross. Later in the night the enemy opened a sudden and very heavy bombardment, and parties were seen advancing down one of the streets, but were driven off with loss. We had no casualties during this operation.' The London Gazette Issue 30135: 'M.C. His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to confer the Military Cross in recognition of his gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed great skill and courage when leading his platoon during house-to-house fighting. He drove the enemy from various positions, and later repelled a counter-attack with complete success .' War Diary (extract): 'The last fight October 16th 1918: We moved on again between 2 and 3 a.m., [17 October] and without difficulty reached and formed up on our jumping-off line, which had been previously taped out by the Brigade Major, Capt. Grinling, about 70 yards South of the Bohain-Vaux-Andigny Road. We had three Companies in the front line, A (Toyne, in the absence of Thomas on leave) on the right; B (Geary) in the centre; and C (Druce) on the left ... Their Commander, Capt. Geary, was killed by machine gun fire after leading his men with the greatest bravery. On many previous occasions he had done excellent work, and his loss was most keenly felt. A Company on the right soon lost touch with B, but got on until they reached a position near the railway track, in spite of having had a very nasty time and many casualties from the machine guns in the same clearing ... A brother officer wrote:"Having led his men in a brilliant and successful counter-charge in which they were able to secure all their objectives, he and his company were entrenching, when, owing to a thick fog, a party of Germans, previously un-observed, commenced firing at close range. Capt. Gearey in the act of bringing in one of his wounded men, was shot by a Hun sniper.' 'The Sherwood Foresters in the Great War 1914-1919, 1/8th Battalion', p.297 and p.301 (The last fight, 1918): action near Hennechies Wood, 'We had three Companies in the front line ... 'B' (Geary) ... 'B' Company in the centre went on until they were held up by unbroken wire, and heavy machine gun fire from the Regnicourt Ridge, and from a clearing in the centre of the Battalion area. Their Commander, Capt. Geary, was killed by machine gun fire after leading his men with the greatest bravery. On many previous occasions he had done excellent work, and his loss was most keenly felt.' (p.297) 'During the attack we captured something like 220 prisoners, and nearly 100 machine guns, besides inflicting many other casualties. Our own losses, too, were heavy - the heaviest in Officers that we had experienced in the recent fighting. Besides Geary ['B' Coy] we lost Lieuts. Plant and Jacques killed ... other ranks we lost 25 killed or died of wounds.' (p.301) Probate: Gearey Albert Edward of 11 Ferriby-road Barton on Humber Kingston upon Hull died 17 October 1918 in France Administration London 7 June to Edward Gearey gentleman. Effects £239 10s. 2d.
