Menu

Darbey, Albert Curwen

Albert was born in 1897 at Bilston, Staffordshire. He appears on the 1901 census living with his family at 8 Jubilee Street Shotton.  The family comprised Father Albert E Darbey a stocktaker in the iron works aged 33, mother Amy J Darbey 32 and their children Albert C 4, Alan 1 and Nellie 6 months. (There were three visitors at the house Samuel and Mary Richards with Leonard S Richards aged 2)

His parents married in Wolverhampton ( March Qtr. Vol 6b, Page 621) in 1896, Amy Jane’s maiden name was Curwen, so Albert ‘s name carried her family name on.

In the 1911 census the family lived at 36 Butler Street Shotton. Albert Ed was 43 and still a stocktaker born in Bilston staffs, Amy Jane was 42 (she’d been born in Kendal Westmorland), Albert Curwen was 14, Alan 11, Nellie 10 and Leslie 6. (On a personal note, my Great, Grandson lived there for about 2 years!)

There is no card for Albert in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at the County Archive Office in Hawarden but his service records survive and are accessible on www.ancestry.com

His attestation papers show that he signed up in February 1916  in Shotton when he was 19 years and 2 months old. His trade or calling is given as ‘Ironworker’.

His next of kin was given as his mother Amy Darbey . His military history sheet tells us that he was awarded a 1st Class in signalling and telephony at Shoreham by Sea on 18th September 1916.

He joined the British Expeditionary Force in France on 14th December 1916, embarking at Southhampton disembarking at Havre on the 15th December 1916.

Albert Darby in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that the sole Legatee was his mother Amy Darby who was paid £2. 12s 9d on the 20th November 1917 and his War Gratuity of £3. 0s 0d on the 21st October 1919.

Albert is also remembered on the Hawarden War Memorial and St. Ethelwold’s Church Screen


Learn more about the other soldiers on the Connahs Quay and Shotton War Memorial

Back to top