Albert Henry Beer was born on 19 June 1879 in Islington. He was the son of George Beer and Mary Elizabeth Beer née Picket. His father was a glass fitter.
He was educated at the Bath Street Council School in Hoxton and was a warehouseman at West End Clothiers in Ludgate Hill.
On 27 March 1900 he enlisted in the East Surrey Regiment as a Private. His service number was 6392. After 8 years with the colours, including 3 years in India, he was transferred for 6 years to the reserves.
On 25 December 1909 he married Sophia Townley (1883-1966) at Christ Church, Hoxton and they had two children.
Henry John Beer (1910-1992) was born on 11 November 1910 and when he was baptised on 11 December 1910 at Christ Church, Hoxton the baptismal register shows the family living at 53 Cropley Street, Islington.
The 1911 census confirms them still at this address and his occupation was recorded as a warehouse porter for a tailor. His wife was shown as a cardboard box maker.
Their second son, John George Beer (1912-1913) was born on 22 September 1912 and was given a private baptism by a priest from Holy Trinity Church, Hoxton on 25 September 1912. The baptismal register shows that the family had now moved to 64 Napier Street, Hoxton. This son was admitted into the City Road Workhouse, Holborn, on 8 September 1913 but he died later that year.
On the outbreak of World War One he was recalled to his regiment and entered France on 11 September 1914 but was killed in action, aged 35 years, on 14 October 1914. As he has no known grave he is commemorated on panel 19 of the Le Touret Memorial in the Le Touret Military Cemetery, Rue De Bois, Le Touret, Pas de Calais, France.
His army effects of £2-12s-1d were sent to his widow on 22 February 1915 and she received his £5-0s-0d war gratuity on 31 July 1919.
He was posthumously awarded the 1914 Star with the 5 August 1914 to 22 November 1914 clasp, the British War medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
He is also commemorated in the London Borough of Islington's Book of Remembrance.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
