Private Albert Frederick Muggeridge

Albert Frederick Muggeridge was born in Beddington, Mitcham. He was baptised at St Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Mitcham on 3rd July 1892. His mother was named Sarah, and his father was James Muggeridge and they lived at Glebe Cottage, London Road, Beddington. Albert’s father James was a Leather Dresser. There was a Leather Works nearby, and the census for 1901 records several households with the same occupation. Albert had several siblings, but recorded on the 1901 Census were Henry aged 24, Arthur 14 and Alfred aged 12. Albert was aged 8.

In 1911, the family were still living at Glebe Cottage. Henry, Arthur and Alfred were living elsewhere, but his sisters Edith and Florence had returned home, while another sister Annie had since married. 18-year-old Albert had followed in his father’s footsteps and was employed as a Leather Dresser.

On 20 May 1917, Albert married Lucy Agnes Cresswell at St. Peter and Paul Church, Mitcham. Lucy had been employed as a cigarette maker, and her family came from Benedict Terrace, Belgrave Walk, Mitcham.

According to some records, Albert enlisted at Wimbledon with the 3rd Battalion, East Kent Regiment as a Private (G/24157). Records are a bit ambiguous, as his medal roll record states he was initially with the East Surrey Regiment with the regimental no. 34041. But at some point, he transferred to the 2nd Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers).

The London Regiment played an important role in the “Hundred Days Offensive” (8 August – 11 November 1918) which was a series of Allied victories that led to the end of the war. Albert died of his wounds on 6 September, possibly sustained during one of the battles.

Records show that in 1934, his widow Lucy was living at the home of Albert’s brother Henry and his wife. She would have been entitled to receive Albert’s last pay, plus the War Gratuity.

Albert is buried at Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France and is also commemorated on the Mitcham War Memorial.