Albert was one of eight children born to Edward (a carpenter) and Emily Loft
Wilfred born Q4 1883, died Q2 1909
Leonard born Q4 1885, died Q1 1888
Alsie/Elsie De Havilland born Q1 1888
Catherine Mary born Q4 1889
Ernest Edward born Q3 1891
Albert John born Q4 1893
Edgar born Q4 1895, died Q1 1900
Arthur William born Q2 1901
Albert’s father Edward, a carpenter, was born in Birling, Kent in 1847 but moved to Allhallows sometime between 1851 and 1861. His mother Emily Parris was born in Offham, Kent in 1857. They were first cousins, and were married in Allhallows in December 1881.
Two of Albert’s brothers died very young; Leonard aged 3 in 1888 (before Alfred was born) and Edgar aged 4 in 1900, and his eldest brother, who was married to Emily Raven (sister to Isaac Raven) died in 1909 aged 25 leaving a year old son Arthur Wilfred. Emily remarried to Thomas Davidson at Medway Register Office in February 1911 and had two daughters, but Arthur Wilfred died in Strood district in 1926 aged just 18.
In 1911 Albert’s parents, Edward and Emily, his sister Catherine and younger brother Arthur William were in Allhallows, Catherine married Arthur Vulgar at Grain in December 1911 and they had a son Edward W born Q4 1912.
His sister Elsie had married Henry George Field at Meopham on 5th June 1909 and in 1911 Albert was a farm labourer lodging with Henry’s parents Charles and Ann Field at Poplar cottages, Meopham and his brother Ernest was a soldier in barracks at Winchester.
Albert’s mother Emily died aged 55 in 1914. His father lived until 1928. They are both buried in Allhallows churchyard.
Albert enlisted into the 6th Battalion Queen's Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment (The Buffs) at Sheerness. Regimental number G/5718.
Albert was killed in action on 09 March 1916 and is remembered on the Loos memorial.
He would have been one of the 9 men killed outright on that day from heavy bombing in bitterly cold weather conditions.
The record of effects shows that his joint legatees were his father Edward and his sister Catherine Vulgar. Catherine lived until 1932 and her husband Arthur died in 1960.
Allhallows Remembers
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