Born in 1877 at Somerleyton Suffolk, son of Benjamin (Plate Layer on Great Eastern Railway), and Eleanor Rumsby. 1891: A 14 year old Errand Boy, with his family at The Village Green, Somerleyton. In 1901 he married Gertrude Lovegrove at Christchurch St Marylebone, stating he was a Ticket Collector on the Great Eastern Railway living at 3 Fishes Cottages, Snakes Lane, Woodford Green. 1911: Still a Ticket Collector living with his wife, two sons and two boarders at 6 Globe Terrace, Globe Road, Snakes Lane. He later left the railway and became an Under Porter at Drapers Hall in the City of London. He enlisted at Epping, serving initially as Private 16284 in 3 Royal West Kent Regiment, before transferring to the Manchester Regiment.
Albert was engaged in the 3rd Battle of Ypres, and on 30th July 1917 the Battalion was in the assembly trenches behind Sanctuary Wood, The overall objective for the Division was to capture Polygon Wood. At 03.50 on 31st July the advance began, with 17 Manchester being part of the second wave. They pushed forward over the Menin Road towards Glencourse Wood which was the Battalions objective. However machine guns in the wood prevented further progress and the troops dug in under artillery bombardment. They held this position until relieved on the morning on 1st August. Albert Rumsby was Killed in Action during the assault, and has no known grave.
He is also remembered on the Drapers Hall War Memorial.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com