Pte 235239 Albert Lockett

• Age: 27
• From: Crewe, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 11th May 1918
• Commemorated at: La Clytte Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: V.F.12

Albert Lockett was born in the first quarter of 1891 the son of Albert and Fanny Elizabeth Lockett.

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 4 Duke Street, Nantwich. Albert is 10 years of age and is living with his parents and three younger siblings. His father, Albert, is described as a Shoemaker born in Nantwich in 1875, whilst his mother Fanny Elizabeth was born in Crewe in 1875. His siblings were all born in Crewe: William Arthur b. 1892, Harold b.1898 and Maud b.1901.

By 1911 the family have moved to 172 Earle Street, Crewe. Albert is now 20 and is shown as a boot repairer. His father is now a widower and also a boot repairer. Albert junior's siblings Harold and Maud are present as are two other siblings born in Crewe after the previous Census. Jessie b. 1902 and Lizzie b.1903.         

He married Alice Ann Bearpark at Christ Church, Crewe in the third quarter of 1912. They had a child named Albert Sydney born in the December quarter of 1913. 

He enlisted in Crewe and originally served as Private 202563, Yorkshire Regiment. Following a transfer he was serving in the 19^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 235239 when he was killed in action on the 11^th May 1918, aged 27, during the German Spring Offensive. 

He now rests at La Clytte Military Cemetery, Belgium where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN”

The first burial in the cemetery took place on the 1st November 1914, and between that date and April 1918, Plots I, II and III and part of Plot IV were filled. The hamlet of La Clytte was used as Brigade Headquarters, and the burials were carried out by Infantry, Artillery and Engineer units (out of 600, 250 are those of Artillery personnel and 66 are those of Engineers).

After the Armistice Plot IV was completed, and Plots V and VI formed by the concentration of isolated graves and small graveyards from the area round Reninghelst, Dickebusch, Locre and Kemmel.

There are now 1,082 casualties of the First World War buried or commemorated in this cemetery. 238 of the burials are unidentified and one of the graves, brought in from LEICESTER CAMP CEMETERY (a group of 17 graves on the road to Reninghelst), is marked with the names of two men between whom the identification rests. Other special memorials commemorate casualties known to have been buried in the cemetery, but whose graves could not be located.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Albert's death was reported in the Crewe Chronicle on 08th June 1918:

"News has been received by Mrs Lockett of Liverpool Terrace, Crewe that her husband Pte. Albert Lockett of The King's Liverpool Regiment has been killed. He appeared to have been with a group of several others who were killed by a shell. Pte Lockett was the son of Mr Lockett, boot maker of Earle Street". 

It was reported on 05th October 1918 that Alice Ann was amongst a number of bereaved families who received In Memoriam bibles from the Mayor.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to widow Alice A. and child Albert Sydney, 10 Church Street, Crewe.

His widow Alice remarried in 1919 to Fred Bailey at St Michael's Church, Coppenhall, Crewe. 

Alice died in the Decemebr quarter of 1966, aged 80. 
 
We currently have no further information on Albert Lockett, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.