1. Birth certificate.
(Source: North Yorkshire County Council Register Office)
Albert Medd was born on 16th June 1883 in Ingleby Arncliffe, Yorkshire. His middle name was given as Thompson; his father was not declared but his mother was Elizabeth Medd, a domestic servant, living in Ingleby Arncliffe.
2. Baptism record.
(Source: www.findmypast.co.uk)
He was baptised Albert, son of Elizabeth Medd, on 2nd December 1883 in All Saints Church, Ingleby Cross. Elizabeth’s abode was in Ingleby Cross. No details were given of her trade or profession. His father’s details were not recorded.
3. 1891 Census (5th April).
(Source: www.findmypast.co.uk)
At the time of the 1891 Census Albert Medd was living in Ingleby Arncliffe with 2 of his mother’s brothers. His mother was living somewhere else.
Details:
Flapper Street(? – the street name is not shown on the Census page, but it is on the www.findmypast.co.uk transcription), Ingleby Arncliffe.
John Medd, head of the house, single, agricultural labourer, age 71, born in Ingleby Greenhow.
William Medd, brother, married, agricultural labourer, age 64, born in Thirlby.
Ann Medd, sister in law, married, age 64, born in Ingleby Arncliffe.
Albert Medd, nephew, age 7, born in Ingleby Arncliffe.
4. 1911 Census (2nd April).
(Source: www.findmypast.co.uk)
By the time of the 1911 Census Albert Medd’s mother had married John Johnson, and they were living in Middlestone near Ferry-Hill. Albert was living with them, and working as a road man.
Details:
Middlestone, Ferry-Hill, County Durham.
John Johnson, head of the house, married, coke benchman, age 52, born in Bilsdale Parish.
Elizabeth Johnson, wife, age 50, born in Ingleby Arncliffe Parish.
Ada Johnson, daughter, age 19, born in Ingleby Arncliffe Parish.
Alfred Johnson, son, age 12, born in West Hartlepool Parish.
Albert Medd, stepson, road man, age 27, born in Ingleby Arncliffe Parish.
James Teasdale, boarder, colliery labourer above ground, age 50.
5. Marriage certificate.
(Source: www.findmypast.co.uk)
Albert Medd married Mary Bell, spinster of Ingleby Arncliffe, on 2nd July 1913. Albert was a road man from Middlestone. His father was George Thompson, a labourer. Mary’s father was Robert Bell, a wood man.
6. www.findmypast.co.uk.
7. www.genesreunited.co.uk.
8. http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/spenborough/branch-information/spenborough-roll-of-honour/world-war-one-1914-18-other-ranks :
NAYLOR , GUY
38434 Private 15th West Yorkshire Regiment (Leeds Pals). Killed in action at Gavrelle on 3 May 1917 age 36. No known Grave, Listed on the Arras Memorial to the Missing, France. Lived Bedford Street, Cleckheaton.
This reference is included as it confirms the title of the 15th Battalion (Leeds Pals), and that the battalion was in action at Gavrelle on 3rd May 1917.
9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Arras_(1917).
10. http://www.bottesfordhistory.org.uk/content/people/village-families/lincolnshire-harbys-in-bottesford-and-muston/harby-family-brothers-in-the-war
Less fortunate was Nellie’s brother William Harby. William had joined the 1st 4th Lincolnshire Regiment in 1915, signing up as Private 5965 at a recruiting station in Bourne. At some point the regiment was merged into the West Yorkshires (Prince of Wales Own) so William became one of the Leeds Pals, the 15th battalion. The regiment fought several battles through 1916 and by May 1917 were opposing the German trenches of the Hindenburg line near Arras. Early on the morning of 3 May the 15 W Yorks launched an attack on Windmill trench near Gavrelle and Oppy Wood. Of the 547 men who started the attack, some 157 were fatalities, cut down by machine guns, 120 were missing and 120 were wounded. William was one of those who failed to return.
This reference is included as it has the final casualty figures for the 15th Battalion's attack on 3rd May 1917.
11. The West Yorkshire Regiment 3rd May 1917
(Source: http://lib.militaryarchive.co.uk/library/infantry-histories/library/The-West-Yorkshire-Regiment-in-the-War-1914-1918-Volume-II/files/assets/basic-html/page63.html)
12. Battlefield north-east of Gavrelle on 3rd May 1917
Detail from 1:20k trench map 51B.NW annotated with information from the War Diaries of the 15th, 16th and 18th Battalions, West Yorkshire Regiment [11].
13. Commonwealth War Graves Commission Grave Registration Report for Private Albert Medd
(Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission www.cwgc.org)
14. Commonwealth War Graves Commission Arras Memorial Panel List for Private Albert Medd
(Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission www.cwgc.org)
15. Location of the name of Private Albert Medd on the Arras Memorial
(Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission www.cwgc.org)
Photographs of the cemetery and Private Medd's grave were taken on 20th September 2018 by Malcolm and Vanessa Atkinson-Leighton are available to view on the Memorial Visits Page.
16. Commemorative Certificate for Private Albert Medd
(Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission www.cwgc.org)
17. Commonwealth War Graves Commission www.cwgc.org.
18. Private Albert Medd - medals
(Source: www.forces-war-records.co.uk)