Name
Albert Edward Rackley
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
31/07/1917
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/15530
Royal Sussex Regiment
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
NEW IRISH FARM CEMETERY
Plot VI, Row A, Grave 14.
Belgium
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
St Michael and All Angels Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of William and Annie/Ann (nee COXHILL) RACKLEY.
His parents married 12 April 1884 at All Saints, Croxley Green, Herts. Annie died 1905 in Watford aged 45, and was buried 12 November in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford. William remarried 23 March 1912 at St Mary’s, Watford, to Mary Ann HOW. He died 1934 in Watford aged 76, and was buried 1 November, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery; May died 1936 in Watford aged 78, and was buried 19 March in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Albert was born 9 or 10 May 1898 in Watford, and baptised 3 June 1898 at St Mary’s, Watford. He attended Victoria Junior School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 12 October 1908 to 1 March 1909.
On the 1901 Census, aged 3 he lived in Watford, with his parents and six siblings. On the 1911 Census, at school aged 13 he still lived in Watford, with his widowed father and five siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Hertford, and was formerly Private 4609 Hertfordshire Regiment. He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, 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.
There are articles about Albert in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 7 April 1917 and 25 August 1917 (including a Death announcement); plus In Memoriams in the issues dated 27 July 1918 and 2 August 1919.
His brother Alfred died 7 October 1917 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
