Name
Albert William Springham (MM)
29/10/1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/08/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/60221
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BAGNEUX BRITISH CEMETERY, GEZAINCOURT
IV. B. 6.
France
Headstone Inscription
PEACE PERFECT PEACE LOVED ONE FAR AWAY IN JESUS KEEPING HE IS SAFE
UK & Other Memorials
St Thomas' Mission Hall, Green Tye, St Thomas' Church Memorial, Perry Green, Much Hadham Village Memorial, St Andrew’s Church Memorial, Much Hadham, Stone Bench Plaque, Much Hadham, Congregational Church Memorial, Hadham Cross
Pre War
Albert William Springham was born on 29 October 1898 in Green Tye, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, son of George Springham a Horse keeper and Alice Mary (nee Brace) Springham. He was Baptised on 8 January 1899, in Much Hadham, Herts.
1901 Census records Albert aged 2, living with his parents, brothers Reginald (4) and Clifford (5 Months) in, Green Tye, Herts.
1911 Census records Albert aged 12, he had left school and was working as a House Boy, living with his parents, and six brothers in, Green Tye, Herts.
Wartime Service
Albert travelled to the County Town of Hertford to enlist, posted to the Duke of Cambridges Own (Middlesex Regiment) with the service number G/60221, initially serving with the 11th and then the 4th. Battalion.
He died of wounds on 21 August 1918, in the 56th Casualty Clearing Station in Gezaincourt on the Somme.
Additional Information
His parents received a dependents pension of 7/6 a week from 25 February 1919. His effects of £18-13s-9d, Pay Owing and a War Gratuity of £6-10s, went to his mother Alice. Albert is credited on the Much Hadham War Memorial as having won the Military Medal, although he does not appear to have been 'Gazetted' (M.M. awards were named in the London Gazette), nor is he recorded as having that award on the CWGC records. His Medal Roll does not show this award and surviving family members do not have any knowledge of him having received it either. He died on the same day as G. Shed/Shead from Green Tye who did receive the M.M. so this may account for any confusion.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Malcolm Lennox, “Lest We Forget – Much Hadham 1914-18” by Richard Maddams (Much Hadham Forge Museum)
