Private Albert William Marklew
25585 Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) (Attached Lincolnshire Regiment)
Albert William Marklew was born in 1892 at Polesworth, Warwickshire son of Francis Marklew, a coal miner contractor from Brownlow, Staffs and Alice (nee Meacham). In 1911 the family was living at Poplar Terrace (Lea Lane), Selston, Notts. Albert was one of several children, Francis Frederick, Florence Lily, Ethel, Joseph, Mary A., Alice Elsie, Ebenezer, Wilfred Cyril and Joseph.
Photo: Poplar Terrace, Bottom Row circa 1960s, courtesy J. Bullock.
On 24th April 1915 Albert married Annie Elizabeth Duckmanton at Selston, St. Helens. Only two days later, on the 26th June he joined the Sherwood Foresters, signing up for short service, for the duration of the war. His address at the time of attestation was given as, ‘The Square’, Selston and he was aged 23 years and 130 days, height 5’9″, civilian occupation - coal miner.
In October 1915 he was attached to the Lincolnshire Regiment, serving as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force for 147 days until March 1916. He returned home to the UK in March 1916 and in January 1917 he was transferred to ‘W’ reserve, employed at Selston Colliery Company, Underwood. In November 1917 Albert was found ‘no longer physically fit for war service’ as he was suffering from bronchitis and had previously been hospitalised at Wandsworth. He was awarded Silver War Badge number 304389. He served for a total of 2 years and 219 days and was a recipient of the 1914-15 Star as well as the British War and Victory Medals.
His address on discharge was ‘Jasmine Cottage, Lea Lane, Selston, previously known as Poplar Terrace. In 1929 Albert and Annie had a son named Albert L. Marklew.
Albert died in 1949, aged 56 years, in the Basford District. His wife Annie died in 1985, Derby.