TOLLEY Albert

Pension Records:
Private Albert Tolley, 7th R.W. Kent, 19390. Widow: Louisa, born 1.4.84, Marimount Cottage, Far Forest, Rock, nr Bewdley. Three children: Muriel Joyce Elizabeth born 9.9.12, Jack Albert born 14.7.12, Andrew Herbert born 2.5.16. Weekly pension of 29/7 awarded from 16.12.18.

The following information has been researched by and is courtesy of Brian Hill:
Albert Tolley was the Inn Keeper of the Park Street Tavern, Park Street, Worcester. (see over ). He was born in Menith Wood , Worcestershire and was the son of William and Elizabeth Tolley of the Horse and Jockey Inn, Far Forest. His wife was Louisa, and children Muriel, Jacob and Charles.

He attested at Worcester for the Army Service Corps on 12th December 1915, posted to Motor Transport as Private M2/265909. He served at Grove Park ( probably driver training) and Dover Harbour before posting to France to the 7th Royal West Kent Regiment in May 1915. He suffered from Myalgia, and was invalided home on H. S. Carisbrooke Castle on 28th July 1917, then spending 98 days in hospital receiving massage treatment.
He was disciplined for overstaying his pass, and later for “laughing on parade and making inappropriate remarks to NCO”.

He returned to his battalion on 12th March 1918 when they belonged to 153 Brigade, 18th Division, in the line South of St Quentin. On 21st March 1918 the great German attack commenced, and although 153 and 155 Brigades held the Battle Zone throughout the day against heavy shelling and air attacks, they were ordered to withdraw as the Germans had penetrated beyond their left flank.

Albert was reported as Missing in Action on 16th April 1918, and on 22nd November 1918 he was reported as “Fallen and Buried, death unofficially accepted as on Service”.