Private Albert Edwin Rose

Albert was born in Wimbledon in 1896. His parents were Emily Elizabeth and Edwin William Rose, a Gas Fitter and Bell Hanger. In 1901 the family was recorded as living at 14 Goodenough Road, Wimbledon. Albert was five years old, and lived with his one year old sister Evelyn (Doris). Albert had an older sister, Lilian May, who at the time of the census was at Wimbledon Isolation Hospital where patients were treated for illnesses such as Scarlet Fever, Diptheria and Meningitis. Albert's father, Edwin was previously employed as a Whitesmith - a worker in tin and light metals. His father George was a Blacksmith. At the time of his marriage to Emily (nee Bowles), he was living as a boarder at a residence in Crooked Billet, Wimbledon.

By 1911, the family had moved back to 80 Dupont Road, where they had been living when Lilian was born in 1893. Lilian was not included on this Census either, as she was working as a Domestic Servant in a household in Wimbledon. The family had grown to include seven year old Eva Emily. Albert was now aged 15 and was working as a Green Grocer's Errand boy. It is possible that he later worked at the Anglo Engraving Company in Raynes Park.

During the Great War, Albert enlisted as a Private with the 2/5th Reserve Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment. This battalion was formed at Wimbledon as a home service unit. They were stationed at Windsor in 1914, becoming part of the 2nd Home Counties Division, and moved to Tunbridge Wells in May 1915. At some point, Albert became unwell and was a patient at the Nelson Hospital, where unfortunately, he died of pneumonia on Monday 11 October 1915.

The Register of Soldier's Effects records that Albert was owed £1.19.5 from his pay, and that payment of a war gratuity was not applicable. The war gratuity was a payment made to men who served in WW1 for a period of 6 months or more, home service, or for any length of time if serving overseas. As Albert's service was in Britain, and he died before completing six months service, he was not entitled to this payment.

Albert's sister Lilian married Alfred French, Evelyn married Reginald Bridges and died in 1958, and Eva married Edward Spencer Booth and died in 1987. Albert's mother died in 1933, while his father died in 1945 at his daughter Lilian's home at 21 Botsford Road. He left a small amount of money to two of his sons in law, Alfred French and Edward Booth.

Albert is buried at St. Mary the Virgin Church, Merton Park - his headstone reads "At Rest". He is also commemorated at St Saviour's Church, Raynes Park, and on the Wimbledon Roll of Honour.