Albert Spencer Bolwell

Albert Spencer Bolwell

Born 1892 at Swainswick, Bath.  Died of wounds on 30th March 1918 on the Western Front.

Enlisted at Newquay

No. 240862 Lance Corporal in 1/5 Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

At first glance, Albert doesn't appear to be a Cornishman, having been born in Somerset.  However, his mother, Emma Jane Gerry, was born in Newquay in 1857 to Thomas and Catherine Gerry.  Thomas was a Crantock born quarry worker and he brought his family up at St Columb Minor.

Emma married Arthur Bolwell, a cabinet maker from Swainswick, and moved to Somerset.  By 1897 Emma was a widow and had lost two of her young children.  At some time before 1911 Albert moved to Newquay and it was here that he enlisted in the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.  His battalion were sent to the Western Front in 1916 and remained there for the duration of the war.  Sadly, Albert did not return, dying of wounds in 1918.  Albert is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

I believe that Albert's mother, Emma, lived until 1942.  Whether Albert has any living relatives, I do not know.