Albert Smith Redman (1896 – 1970)

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Albert Smith Redman was born in Billington, Lancashire in 1896.(3) He was the son of Albert Smith Redman, a gardener, and Annie Constance Redman, living at 60 Factory Row, Billington, Lancashire. The Redman Family moved to Edgworth, Lancashire circa 1900. He enlisted with the on 6th February 1917 following a period of service with The Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve(16)

War Record - Royal Navy

6th February 1917: Enlisted, posted to HMS Vivid a shore based signals training establishment. Training completed on 12th June 1917.

13th June 1917: Joins HMS Erin and serves in the until 21st February 1919. 21st February 1919: Demobilised.

Albert spent the whole of his active service on board HMS Erin in the North Atlantic. HMS Erin was a 22780 ton battleship built at Barrow in Furness, Lancashire, England and launched in September 1913. The ship was originally built for the Turkish navy as the ‘Rashadiaeh’ together with a similar warship. In 1914 Turkish naval staff arrived in the U.K. to complete sea trials and collect the warships, however, in August of that year, with the start of hostilities the then First Sea Lord , ordered that both warships be impounded and used by the Royal Navy. Churchill’s fear was that Turkey would side with Germany and use the warships against Great Britain. HMS Erin saw action at the in 1916 and was decommissioned after the war had ended and was finally scrapped in May 1922.(16)

Research has failed to find any records of war medals or any naval pension for Albert.

Albert’s elder brother Fred also served with the British Army during World War 1 and survived. (See separate biography).

Family History(1)

Father : Albert Smith Redman b. 1868 Burnley Lancashire. d. 24/9/1932 Mother: Annie Constance Beresford b. 1872 Chesterfield Derbyshire d. 23/3/1927

Siblings:

Nellie b. 1893 Sabden, Lancashire Fred b. 1895 Sabden, Lancashire Harry b. 1899 Whalley, Lancashire Robert b. 1901 Edgworth, Lancashire Thomas b. 1903 Edgworth, Lancashire Harold b. 1904 Edgworth. Lancashire George b. 1906 Edgworth. Lancashire

On 31st July 1919, following his Naval service, Albert Smith Redman was appointed to the Bolton Borough Police Force in the rank of Constable, and served until 19th May 1920 when he resigned.(17) On 8th November 1919, at the age of 20 yrs he married Edith May Hilton at Astley Bridge Parish Church.(3) At some point after the marriage Albert and his wife settled in Edgworth, where they raised 5 children

Children:

Constance Redman born 1922 Clifford Redman born 1924 Freda Redman born 1927 Brenda Redman born 1936 Colin Redman born 1938 Albert worked as an electrician in the textile and engineering industries throughout his working life. In 1940 the family was living at 283 Bolton Road, Edworth, and in 1957 Albert and his wife moved to 12 Blackburn Road, Edgworth.

Albert (top right) with his work mates circa 1911.

Albert (top, 2nd from left) and siblings. September 1932.

Albert with his wife, Edith May and their children, Constance (Right), Clifford (left) and Freda Redman (centre front), circa 1931.

Albert with his Grandson Anthony circa 1955.

Albert (right) with his brother Harold (left) outside 20 Blackburn Rd, Edgworth circa 1961. (18)

Albert Died on 20th April, 1970 in Bolton General Hospital at Farnworth,(3) he is buried with his family at Edgworth Methodist Church.

Research: Anthony Redman

Standard References: 1, 3, 30 plus:

16 www.ancestry.co.uk – naval records 17 Bolton Museum and Library Service archives 18 Photograph - © Newsquest (North West) Ltd Family photographs: permission Redman family