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FOWKES, Albert (1881-1962) – Devonshire Regt/Labour Corps

Albert Fowkes was the son of George Fowkes, an agricultural labourer and he was born in Acton Beauchamp, Bromyard, in 1881. By 1901 he was a horseman on a farm in Suckley.  In 1911 he was married, but still living in Suckley, working as a carter for a corn merchant.

He was 34 years, 11 months old when he enlisted as a Private (No 33286) in the Devonshire Regt on 2nd December 1915.  He was living at Plough Cottage, Suckley, Worcester and working as a carter.  He was in the Garrison Battalion in 1917 and, at some point, was transferred to the 424th Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps.  His Army record is sparse but mentions him arriving at Devonport on 27th October 1916, so he may have served overseas.

He had married Frances Mary Exon in Worcester in 1903 and they had a son, George William in 1906.  At the time of the 1939 Register the family were living at 2, The Homestead in Broadway and Albert was an Estate Carter.  At some point they moved to Wickhamford and lived at 4 Pitchers Hill, with his son and daughter-in-law.  Albert died, aged 81, in 1962 and Frances died the following year.