Name
Albert Agnilla Simonds
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/07/1917
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
21986
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
118th Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 56.
Belgium
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour
Pre War
Son of the late Albert and Sarah Maria (or Clara Maria) (nee FRENCH) SIMONDS; nephew of Frederick Charles FRENCH of Watford.
His parents married 1 June 1887 at Sts Peter & Paul, Tring, Herts. Sarah died 1900 in Aylesbury aged 33, and was buried 17 January in Aylesbury Cemetery. Albert remarried March 1902 in Aylesbury to Fanny Elizabeth VERITY; he died 1915 in the Aylesbury district aged 60. Fanny remarried 1916 in the Aylesbury district to Harry GREEN, and died 1950 in the Aylesbury district aged 77.
Albert was born 12 or 16 November 1896 in Aylesbury, and baptised there 28 October 1898. He attended St John’s C of E School, Aylesbury, from 5 March 1900.
On the 1901 Census, he is proving elusive. On the 1911 Census, a pawnbroker’s assistant aged 14, he lived in Aylesbury, with his father, step-mother and one sibling.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Aylesbury, Bucks, and was formerly 1441 Ox & Bucks Light Infantry and Sergeant 2353 Hertfordshire Regiment.
He went to France November 1914, was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals, his qualifying date being 6 November 1914, and was killed in action.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Albert’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
