Name
Albert George Morley
1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/08/1917
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/29555
Middlesex Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 113 to 115.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not in the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
Albert was born in 1885 in Stourbridge, Worcs. and his parents were George and Emily Elizabeth Morley (née Peters), who were married in Sawston, Cambs. on 29 September 1883.
In 1891 Albert was absent from the census, probably working away, but his family were living at 4 West Street, Stourbridge, Worcs. Present were his wife, Emily (30) and their two children Albert George (5) and Ethel at 11 months.
In 1901 all the family were at 4 West Street. Present were both parents: George (39) and Emily (40), George working as a parchment maker and Albert, at 15 was a parchment maker’s apprentice. Ethel was also present.
Albert married Mary Maud Stinton (b 1885) in 1909 – the marriage was registered in Stourbridge. In 1911 they were living at 7 Park St, Stourbridge, Worcs, with their child Albert Leslie who was born on 14 October 1910. Albert (senior) was working as a parchment maker. His parents, Albert’s grandparents, were living at 31 Periwinkle Lane, Hitchin, Herts. The census recorded they had been married for 27 years with 3 children, of whom 1 had died.
The Soldiers Died In The Great War database records that he was born in Stourbridge, Worcs. and was living in Hitchin, Herts, when he enlisted in Bedford.
So far Albert George Morley’s connection to Hitchin is that he was recorded as living there when he enlisted. We therefore assume that he, and or his family, moved to Hitchin before his enlistment or perhaps when he went to war.
Wartime Service
Albert received the British War and Victory medals and
not any form of ‘Star’ medal so he did not go overseas until after the beginning
of 1916.
He was reported missing on, and later and presumed dead
on or after 16 August 1917. On that date the Battalion were in the front line
trenches south of the Ypres – Roulers Railway, and they attacked the German
trenches. The casualties were recorded in the war diary as officers killed 1, 5
wounded. In the NCOs 11 were killed, 151 were recorded as wounded and 23 as
missing.
Additional Information
After his death £1 5s 3d pay owing was authorised to go to his widow Mary and their child on 13 December 1918. Later, a war gratuity of £4 10s was authorised to be paid to her on 24 November 1919.
His pension cards record Mary Maud Morley as his widow and dependant, living at 41 King Street, Wollaston, nr Stourbridge, Worcs. It also records their child as Albert Leslie (b 14/10/1910) and (b ). She was awarded a grant of £5 on 31 October 1918, then a pension of 18s 9d a week from 29 April 1919 for her and their child. It was increased to 22s 8d a week from 20 September 1918 and then 36s 8d from 1 April 1919.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild
