ALBERT HENRY HOSKING

Albert is not remembered on the war memorial at Christchurch Park.

(Images courtesy of David Tout: picture: the only one we have of him, taken at 26 Copperfield Road, Ipswich, with my auntie Muriel.)

Born: 6th January 1920, Ipswich.

Died: 25th October 1942; age 22; killed during the Battle of El Alamein.

Residence: 26, Dombey Road, Ipswich.

Rank: Rifleman; Service Number: 6022109.

Regiment: King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 2nd Battalion.

The body was originally buried in a grave without a cross. On the 23rd April 1943, the body was exhumed, identified and reburied at El Alamein War Cemetery.

Grave Reference:

XXVI.G.5.

El Alamein War Cemetery,

El Alamein,

Matruh,

Egypt.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Charles & Jane Hosking, of Ipswich.

Father: Charles Hosking, born May 1879, West Ham, Essex.

Mother: Jane Hosking (nee Sippett), born November 1880, West Ham, Essex.

CENSUS

1921   7, Little Gipping Street, Ipswich.

Albert was 17 months old and lived with his parents and siblings.

Charles Hosking, 43 years & 1 months old, a Blacksmith’s Hammerman for the Ipswich Sanitary Authority, Wolsey Street, Ipswich.

Jane Hosking, 41 years & 7 months old, Home Duties.

William Charles Hosking, 19 years & 5 months old, a General Labourer for Boyce and Sons – Plumbers, of St. Nicholas Street, Ipswich, born West Ham.

Thomas Frank Hosking, 16 years & 10 months old, a Van Boy for Talbots & Co. – Mineral Water Works, of 1, Crown Street, Ipswich, born Ipswich.

Edward George Hosking, 14 years & 9 months old, an Errand Boy for Mr. Ernest Cooke Morley – Fishmonger, of 35, The Mount, Ipswich, born Ipswich.

Robert Harris Hosking, 12 years old, at School, born Ipswich.

Susie May Hosking, 9 years & 6 months old, at School, born Ipswich.

Violet Edith Hosking, 7 years & 1 month old, at School, born Ipswich.

ENGLAND and WALES REGISTER 1939

Albert was employed as a Transport Driver’s Mate. He was a boarder at the boarding house of widow Mary Oakes – 71, Sir Lewis Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk.

King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 2nd Battalion.

The Battalion was part of Pivot Group, near Wadi el Nagamish, Egypt. They fought almost to the last at Sidi Rezegh, with only 55 men of all ranks escaping the battle where the regiment’s 23rd VC was won. It served with the 7th Armoured Division throughout the North African Campaign until the 4th Armoured Brigade was detached from the Division after El Alamein.