THE short life of Albert Edward Wilson as read by Church Langley resident Lorraine Perry.

This project is brought to you with assistance of Harlow Council Development Fund and HTS Ltd.

Never forget.

Albert’s parents were William Wilson, born in Harlow in 18591 and Elizabeth Cakebread, born in Harlow in c.1846. William and Elizabeth married in Harlow in Harlow in early 18852. Albert Edward Wilson was born in Harlow in early 18913.

The family lived in Foster Street for at least twenty years where William was a farm worker. The 1911 census shows Albert living in four rooms at Green Lane, Foster Street with his widowed mother Elizabeth where he was working as a farm labourer.
William Wilson had died in Harlow in 19094 aged 51.

Private Albert Edward Wilson, 40248, enlisted in Harlow and served with the 2nd Battalion
of The Essex Regiment. The battalion fought in The Battle of Transloy Ridges, the last of The Battles of the Somme.

The final British attack before the winter was on the German Boritska Trench on 23 October 1916. The regimental diary records that the regiment was due to attack the German lines at 11.30am on 23 October during The Battle of the Somme, but it was delayed until 2.30pm due to mist. They were met by heavy machine gun fire and the first four waves of men were stopped by the German front line, with only about 30 men reaching the line.
Albert Edward Wilson was killed in action on 23 October 1916, aged 25. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, France. Pier 10, face D. Register Index Number MR21.