Lieutenant Albert Pearson Grainger
Royal Garrison Artillery, London Brigade
(Formerly 1971 & 319075)
Albert Pearson Grainger was born on 20th July 1892 at Selston, Notts, son of William Grainger from Alfreton, manager of the local brickworks and Louisa Grainger (nee Pearson) from Codnor Park. Albert had elder brothers Arthur, Ernest and John and sisters Sarah, Louisa and Mary. The Grainger family lived at ‘The Limes’, Selston Road, Jacksdale. In 1911 Albert, aged 18, was employed as a lace manufacturer’s clerk. His elder brother Arthur was a railway stoker with the Great Northern Railway, brother Ernest was a brickmaker, sister Louisa a school teacher, and sister Mary a post office assistant. Mary later went on to marry Sgt Wilfrid Cook, who is also named on the Jacksdale War Memorial as having served.
Albert attested in 1915 at Clapham, S.W. London in the London Brigade R.G.A. Regimental No 1971, but was discharged in 1916 and in 1917 was granted a temporary commission for the duration of the war. Albert had attended Heanor Technical School, Derbyshire and prior to joining up Albert had been employed as an export buyer and departmental head. His application for entry to an Officer Cadet Unit indicated that he was not married. The Reverend Fleming, Vicar of Mapperley provided a character reference and the headmaster of Heanor Secondary School, R Stoddard, BSc confirmed his standard of education was suitable for a commissioned rank. His Officer Commanding at Winchester also confirmed his suitability.
Lt Albert Grainger appears on the ‘Absent Voters List 1918/19’ residence given as Selston Road, Jacksdale. The Roll lists him as a Second Lieutenant but the Jacksdale War Memorial records his rank as Lieutenant.
In November 1920 Albert relinquished his commission. His niece, daughter of Wilfrid Cook has advised that Albert later married a London girl, from Battersea, named Doris Ethel Flack in 1920 at Wandsworth. They settled in Kent and ran a fine quality clothes shop. They were not to have any children of their own but their nieces and nephews were regular visitors especially at Christmas time and were always made very welcome. Albert and Doris kept a dog, an Airdale/Golden Retriever type whom the children loved. Doris spoilt the children with dolls houses, pottery dolls and also made fairy dresses for the dolls. Albert was taken very seriously ill in the 1950’s but luckily survived and went on to live into his nineties.
Photo: The Grainger Family. His mother Louisa is seated front with Albert on her right and Mary on her left.
Photo: Family snapshot taken at ‘The Limes’ Jacksdale. Back Row - standing 2nd left is Albert and 3rd is Doris. 6th Standing on end is Wilfrid Cook. Seated in front of Wilfrid, far right is Mary Alice Cook (nee Grainger).
Albert died July 1986 in Hastings, East Sussex.
His brother Ernest died in 1919, aged only 39 and his parents William died in 1930, aged 71 and his mother Louisa died in 1935, aged 80. All three are buried at Westwood, St. Mary’s.