Albert Dockerill

Sergeant

Royal Field Artillery 35948 2nd Battalion

Lea Mills postcard

Alfred Dockerill in WW1

Notes
Albert Dockerill had military experience prior to World War 1. In 1889 he was with the Royal Artillery (14751) having enlisted 12 August 1889. He already had the rank of Corporal when war was declared. He was one of the factory workers who lived in Holloway and attended the public meeting at Lea Mill when J.B. Marsden -Smedley unveiled the recruiting scheme. Cpl. Albert Dockerill, late of 6th Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery (South Africa) offered himself as a Drill Instructor, along with Pte Arthur Snowball (late Constable Imperial Military Police – South Africa), for those recruited at that meeting. Albert Dockerill was also a bandsman. He rejoined the colours on 22nd September 1914 and he was back in the Factory by August 1918.
From his letters, both to the Vicar and J.B. Marsden -Smedley, he emerges as a very loyal supporter of the cause and of the factory: he was quite a colourful character and provided some interesting insights into life and training at various depots in the United Kingdom.
His initial posting was to the Royal Field Artillery depot at Newcastle-on Tyne from where he wrote in November 1914 that they were finding him plenty to do and ‘We did not expect feather beds.’ On December 8th 1914, he wrote, ‘we are sending 600 of Kitchener’s R.F.A. to the South of England. They leave here on Thursday.’
On 2nd February 1915 he reported, ‘they have formed a Band here of Royal Artillery. This is a very large R.A. Depot. We played a draft down to the station last night, and a man went with it from Crich, he enlisted for the duration of the War, and leaves a wife and 5 children. I have just seen another man from the same place who leaves a wife and 3 children.’
On 15th April 1915 he reported on a Zeppelin raid on Newcastle. Everyone was astonished when suddenly all the lights went out in the street and trams stopped ‘and yet people would not keep in their homes, everyone was looking for the intruder.’ This confirmed the report made by Herbert Crooks, who was at Whitley Bay at that time.
In May 1915, Cpl Albert Dockerill was promoted to Sergeant Albert Dockerill 35948 and moved to Royal Artillery, Colchester with the address Officers’ Mess C5 Reserve Brigade.
In January 1916 his recruiting spirit was apparent when he wrote, ‘we have 40 officers here in training, and they are a lot of good fellows trying their best to master gunnery. Wish all the lads the best of health and luck that are doing their bit for our dear old country. We want more yet, and we must have them'
From Colchester, he moved to the Royal Field Artillery Depot at Charlton Park S.E.7. The Artillery had a big Depot at Woolwich in South East, London. It is from there that he wrote letters of gratitude to J.B.Marsden-Smedley when receiving parcels. He received groceries in December 1916, August 1917, January 1918 and September 1918. He received hosiery in December 1917.
In one letter, addressed to Mr. Marsden-Smedley, he recounts 'I was very pleased to see a Bale of Pants unpacked in our store for issue to the Troops going to France that had been made at your firm Sir, Lea Mills’. This confirms that the Mill was engaged in major government contracts in 1917. In another letter, he wistfully dwelt upon past experiences at the Mill and upon the kindness that J.B. had shown to his wife and family. He thanked J.B. ‘for the kindness to my Wife and Family since I have been away from home Sir and I often sit and think of what you have had to go through these Last few years Since the strike, but I hope that after all your trouble and loss that both you and Mrs Smedley and family and the success of the firm comes out on top and when war is over that I may still be able to work for you who I found a good master.’
In these musings are packed many important references to the history of the firm and the family. There was the debilitating strike, the undertaking to look after the families of men who were serving with payment and to re-employ those men when they returned. There was the huge change in the turn over to war work and the problems of maintaining output while skilled men were being recruited and there is the reference, tactfully made, to the death of George. It is also a defining moment in industrial relations.
It is small wonder that Albert Dockerill was back in the Factory before August 1919.

Medal Roll Index Card
Non found

Newspaper Report

Derbyshire Courier 5 July 1919
A meeting of the local members of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Soldiers and Sailors was held at Holloway on Tuesday. Mr Drake, of Crich, presiding. It was decided that a sub-branch be opened for the Lea and Holloway district. and the following officers were elected: Chairman Mr W Foster, secretary, Mr J. Parr; committee. Messrs A Dockerill, J Conquest, J Haslam, H Clarkson, B Thorpe, J Wragg, J Hudson, W Spencer and C Swift.

Letters to JB Marsden-Smedley

35948 Sgt A Dockerill
5 C Res Bd RFA, Charlton Park
Sir,
Just a note to thank you and Mrs A S Marsden-Smedley for the parcel sent to me and to wish the Firm Ever Success in the coming year and to thank you to Sir for what you have done for my wife and children and I was very please to see a Bale of Pants unpacked in our store for issue to the Troop going to France that had been made at your Firm Sir, Lea Mills – So I will close Sir wishing you your family and The Firm the best of Luck
I remain your Servant
Sgt Dockerill

35948
Sgt A Dockerill
Officer’s Mess, 5 C Res Bd  R F A
Charlton Park, London SE
Sir,
I hardly no how to thank you enough For the parcel sent me which arrive quite Safe and for the kindness to my Wife and Family since I have been away from home Sir and I often sit and think of what you have had to go through these Last few year Since the strike, but I hope that after all your trouble and  loss that both you and Mrs Smedley and family and the success of the firm comes out at the top and when war is over that I may still be able to work for you who I found a good master. And in my travels I have had a good many and I am glad to say that you sir was one of the best once again thanking you both you Sir and A S Smedley and Firm every success in the new year
I remain your servant
Sgt A Dockerill


CENSUS INFORMATION

Cannot find him in 1901. He may still have been in the Army (enrolling in 1889) and been serving abroad.

1911: Fern Bank Holloway

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Albert Dockerill Head 39 Hosiery frame knitter, hosiery factory Sawston, Cambs
Olive Dockerill wife 32   Holloway
Doris Greaterex Dockerill daughter 10 School Holloway
Albert Edward Dockerill son 7 School Holloway
Fred Harding Dockerill son 6 School Holloway

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