ALBERT JAMES LOOKER

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Image from Evening Star newspaper – 1944.

JIM

Born: 12th February 1913, Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire.

Died: 30th November 1944; age: 31; MPK.

Residence: 39, Suffolk Road, Ipswich.

Employed: at the Ipswich Corporation Power Station.

Albert volunteered for the Royal Navy in early 1942.

Rank: Stoker 1st Class; Service Number: P/KX 163165.

Regiment: Royal Navy, H.M.S. ‘Stevenstone’

Memorial Reference:

86.1.

Portsmouth Naval Memorial,

Hampshire.

Father: Edwin James Looker, born February 1888, Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire. A Navvy Road Worker, and a Sexton at Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire.

Mother: Fanny Looker (nee Carter), born 1878, Bromsgrove, Warwickshire – died 1929, Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire.

CENSUS

1921   No. 62 Sherborne, Northleach, Gloucestershire.

Albert was 8 years old & 4 months old. He attended School and was one of three Visitors to widow Mrs. Annie Williams and her children.

In 1921 Albert’s parents and siblings lived at the family home – 1, Summer Villa, Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire.

Edwin Looker, 33 years & 8 months old, Builder’s Labourer for McAlpine Contractors.

Fanny Looker, 42 years & 7 months old, Home Duties.

Amos Edwin Looker, 11 years old, at School, born Farnham Royal.

Elsie May Looker, 9 years & 4 months old, at School, born Farnham Royal.

Rose Mary Looker, 6 years & 3 months old, at School, born Farnham Royal.

Robert Looker, 4 years & 4 months old, at School, born Farnham Royal.

Gladys Looker, 4 years & 4 months old, at School, born Farnham Royal.

ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939.

Albert was employed as a Public Works Contractor – a Travelling Labourer. He was a boarder with Millicent Mary & Edward Charles Hurlock, an Upholsterer – Foreman Furnishing Trade, at their family home – 19, Whitby Road, Ipswich.

In 1943, Ipswich, Albert married Rosina Mary Cooper, an usherette, born October 1912, Colchester, Essex – daughter of Rosina Lilian Goodwin (nee Cooper), and Charles Goodwin, of 22, Victory Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.

Rosina and Albert had one daughter:

Jennifer A. Looker, born in 1945, in Ipswich.

Albert is also remembered on the war memorial at Farnham Royal, Farnham Road, Buckinghamshire.

H.M.S. ‘Stevenstone’ 30th November 1944

H.M.S. ‘Stevenstone’ was a Type II Hunt Class Escort Destroyer. She was ordered on 28th July 1940 and built by J.S. White & Co. (Cowes, U.K.). Laid down on the 2nd September 1941, launched 23rd November 1942, and commissioned 18th March 1943. H.M.S. ‘Stevenstone’ was adopted by the civil community of Barnstable, Devonshire. On the 30th November 1944, she was on an evening patrol with H.M.’Frigate’ off Ostend (Commander Lt, Edward Gerard Napier Mansfield, R.N.). At 18:22 hrs she was struck by a mine. She did not sink but did sustain major damage to the forward mess deck of the ship, causing flooding and fire. 14 crew members were killed.