Albert William John Dew was born on 10 February 1896 in Bermondsey, the eldest of the three children of William Dew (1869-1941) and Ellen Azalia Dew née Barrell (1874-1956). His father was a G.P.O. postman.
On 11 March 1896 he was baptised at St Mary Magdalene Church, Bermondsey and the baptismal register shows the family living at 42 Maltby Street, Bermondsey.
His sister, Violet Ellen Caroline Dew (1900-1935) was born on 26 July 1900 and her birth was registered in the Holborn registration district. The 1901 census confirms that he was living with his family and his paternal grandparents at 13 Nelson Street, Whitechapel.
On 15 April 1901 he was admitted into the Moreland Street School, Islington, where he remained until 24 January 1902.
His brother, Vincent Thomas Hope Dew (1906-1983) was born on 28 May 1906 and when his siblings were baptised on 13 May 1906 at Holy Trinity Church, Hoxton, the baptismal register shows the family living at 77 Murray Street. This address is confirmed in the 1911 census where he is recorded as living with his family and a student at Clarks College that was at 117 Stamford Hill, Hackney.
He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and was attached to their 26th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) when he was killed in action, aged 21 years, on 10 April 1917. As he has no known grave, he is commemorated in Bay 2, Course C, Stone 7, on the Arras Memorial located in the Faubourg d'Amiens British Cemetery, Arras, France.
His father was sent his army effects totalling £48-15s-10d on 19 November 1917 and a £5-10s-0d war gratuity on 29 November 1919.
He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
