Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

It’s not every day that a completely new memorial appears in the Cemetery and we are so pleased that a new Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone has been installed to commemorate Albert Dollimore, a Private in the Army Service Corps who died in 1918. He was the subject of research by both Jenny Sherwood and Janice Boakes. Janice identified those people whose names should be included in our War Memorial and ensured that Albert was included, even writing to the CWGC to suggest that he warranted a headstone. In fact, the process was already underway and this month it was installed.

By coincidence,  the week before the headstone arrived at Rectory Lane Cemetery,  Project Convenor James Moir was visiting the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Workshops and Visitor Centre at Beaurains, France, in the heart of the former Western Front. One of the 9 studios, which cover all aspects of the Commission’s work, is dedicated to the work of the stonemasons. This is where Dollimore’s memorial was made, before being shipped to England!

ALBERT DOLLIMORE(1895–1918) Private, Army Service Corps, Reg. No. M2/188002
Albert Dollimore was born in Berkhamsted in 1895. The family lived at Chalgrove Villa, 24 Shrublands Avenue, Berkhamsted. Albert was employed as a houseboy (domestic servant). In WWI, he served in the  Army Service Corps. Albert died in Berkhamsted aged 24, just a few days after Armistice, on 18th November 1918.

Follow the link to his burial record at the bottom of this page to read his full biography.