Serjeant Albert George Beer
| Date of Birth | 16 June 1895 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 22 |
| Date of Death | 23 March 1918 |
| Service Number | 1630 |
| Military Service | 1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, London Regiment |
| Merton Address | 10 Norfolk Road, Colliers Wood |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Albert was born in Tottenham on 16 June 1895. He was baptised at St. Mary’s Church Islington while the family were living nearby at 65 Beaconsfield Road. The family lived in Yerbury Road, Islington for a while before moving to 9 Artillery Dwellings, Rochester Row, Westminster. They were residing there during the 1901 Census. Albert’s father James William Beer was working as a Commercial Clerk and he and his wife Mary Anne had five children living with them – Charles 10, Ethel 7, Florence 3, Violet 1, and Albert who was five years old.
By 1911 the family had moved to Merton, living in a four roomed property at 87 High Street, Colliers Wood. James was still a Commercial Clerk, working for the Co-Operative Society. The family had grown to include Sidney 9, Alfred 6, and Frederick aged 3. Records show that the couple had eight children, and that sadly two of the children had died. By 1915, the family had moved again to 10 Norfolk Road, Colliers Wood.
Very soon after the outbreak of war, while working as a Clerk, Albert attested at Wimbledon on 30 August 1914 aged 19 years. He joined the 1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, London Regiment. Records state that Albert was 5 ft 7 ins in height and weighed in at 133 lbs. He had brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion.
After training, the 1st Battalion mobilised for war in September 1914, landing at St. Nazaire, France. During the course of the War, the Battalion would have been involved in numerous battles. These may have included actions on the Aisne Heights in 1914, Actions at Hooge in 1915, Battles of Vimy Ridge and Pilkelm Ridge and the Battle of Langemarck in 1917. Albert must have been a good soldier, because at some point he was promoted to Serjeant.
In 1918, during the battle of St. Quentin (21-23 March) Albert’s battalion was in trenches near Roclincourt. Albert was killed in action on the 23 March, and his body was not recovered. He is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France and locally on the Mitcham War Memorial.
After the war, Albert’s mother received his last pay of £35.17.3 plus the War Gratuity of £23.10.