Biography:
Albert Kirby
1886 –1905
Albert Kirby
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Unmarked grave Albert James Kirby (1886-1905)
Albert was born in 1886 in Berkhamsted to John and Sophia (née Humphrey) Kirby.
In 1891 he was living in the squalid conditions of Red Lion yard with his widowed mother, three of his step-siblings and his brothers John and Sidney. His mother was making ends meet by working as a straw plaiter, her eldest daughter was a washerwoman and Albert’s step-brother was a labourer.
In 1901, aged 15, he was living at 8, Red Lion Yard with his widowed mother, two sisters –one a washerwoman, the other a charwoman – and one of his brothers aged 13. Both lads were agricultural labourers.
On 2 April 1903, aged 18, Albert signed up for the 4th Bedfordshire Regiment. His attestation papers describe him as 5 foot 4¼ inches tall and weighing just 7½ stone – an indication of his impoverished upbringing. He had fair hair and grey eyes. The medical examination classed him as “fit” for service and he joined as a private soldier, serving until 6 November 1905 when the record states baldly “Deceased.” He was only 19.
His older brother James (died 1922) is also buried in this cemetery.
View this burial in the cemetery
Unmarked grave Albert James Kirby (1886-1905)
Albert was born in 1886 in Berkhamsted to John and Sophia (née Humphrey) Kirby.
In 1891 he was living in the squalid conditions of Red Lion yard with his widowed mother, three of his step-siblings and his brothers John and Sidney. His mother was making ends meet by working as a straw plaiter, her eldest daughter was a washerwoman and Albert’s step-brother was a labourer.
In 1901, aged 15, he was living at 8, Red Lion Yard with his widowed mother, two sisters –one a washerwoman, the other a charwoman – and one of his brothers aged 13. Both lads were agricultural labourers.
On 2 April 1903, aged 18, Albert signed up for the 4th Bedfordshire Regiment. His attestation papers describe him as 5 foot 4¼ inches tall and weighing just 7½ stone – an indication of his impoverished upbringing. He had fair hair and grey eyes. The medical examination classed him as “fit” for service and he joined as a private soldier, serving until 6 November 1905 when the record states baldly “Deceased.” He was only 19.
His older brother James (died 1922) is also buried in this cemetery.
Military graves