1935 Private Albert Royston - Sherwood Foresters

[John Beech]

In remembrance of 1935 Private Albert Royston of the 1st / 7th (Robin Hood)  Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment) killed in action one hundred years ago today at Gommecourt. 

 

Albert was born in Nottingham in the second quarter of 1898 and was the son of Albert, a labourer and Susan Eliza Royston (nee Beech)

 

On 1901 Census he is living with his parents and siblings - Violet Georgina, Rosina, James George Harald and Walter Baden at 10 Tyne Street, Lenton. His father is listed as a labourer in a creosote works. On 1911 Census he is living with his parents and siblings - Violet Georgina, Rosina, James George Harald, Walter Baden, Susan Eliza, Willie and Doris Winifred at 18 Ashwell Street, Hyson Green. Albert is still at school and his father is now a carter at a brewery

 

It is possible that Albert was working as a labourer before enlisting as there is an entry in the 1916 Wright´s Directory of Nottingham for Albert Royston at 18 Ashwell Street, Hyson Green and his father was already dead.

 

Based on Albert's serial number, 1935, he appears to have enlisted around February 1914, making him 15 when he enlisted. He went to France with the original draft of the Battalion  on 23rd February 1915, still prior to his 17th birthday and technically too young to serve overseas. He served in 10 Platoon, C Company; and was a bomb thrower.

 

Albert would have been already seen action  at the Hohenzollern Redoubt between the 13th - 19th October 1915 and served at Vimy Ridge in the spring of 1916 before moving down to the Somme.

 

He was killed at Gommecourt on 1st July 1916 shortly after his 18th birthday. He was reported  in the Red Cross enquiry list of 1st September 1916 as missing as of 1st July 1916.

 

His body was not identified and he is now commemorated on the memorial at Thiepval - Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A. As Albert was listed as missing, he was still allocated a new six digit number, 265246, in March 1917

 

Remembered by his family

[PPCLI]

Remembering Albert and the other 211 officers and men of the 1/7th Robin Hoods killed in action or died of wounds received on 1 July 1916 at Gommecourt.