GOVIER Albert

The birth of Albert Govier is registered in the September Quarter 1880 under the Bromsgrove Registration District.  The death of Albert Govier aged 35 is registered in the March Quarter 1916 under the Blofield (Norfolk) Registration District.

The medal index card for Albert Govier records him as Private Albert Smith, 6409, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.  As some point the surname Smith has been crossed through and Govier written.  On the reverse of the card is written: Officer states man changed his name by Statutory Declaration from 4/11/1902.  Albert went to France on 20th August 1915 and was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.  It would appear these were not claimed as the “O/C Recs requests auth to dispose of medals 19/9/21.”

Service Records for an Albert Smith who enlisted as Private 5336, South Staffordshire Regiment on 2nd May 1900, may relate to this casualty.  On his attestation paper he stated he was born in Redditch, he gave his age as 20 years 11 months and his residence as Smethwick where he worked in the metal industry.  Albert was 5 feet 8¾ inches tall with a sallow complexion, brown eyes and black hair.  Written across the front page of his attestation paper in red ink is “Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry 16-5-00.”