If you are a descendant of Albert DARBYSHIRE/DERBYSHIRE, who lived in Old Church, Pontefract in 1937, but cannot trace his birth or pre-WW1 history, it may be because he was born AMOS MARSHALL ...

Amos MARSHALL (age unknown, but probably born Yorkshire, 1880-1899) joined the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry on 13 September 1914 (Regt No. 449), but got "fed up" after a year - he wanted to go to France and fight for his King & Country.

So he and a pal deserted the KOYLI on 11 October 1915, and the very next day (12 Oct 1915) joined the Royal Field Artillery as Albert DARBYSHIRE. They were sent to France. His pal was killed in action. He served as Regt No. 111251, was wounded at the Somme and "disabled" in 1917 - when he was discharged (with a "Very Good" character).

At some point after discharge, he changed his name by Deed Poll.

All this is detailed in correspondence dated 1937 (he wanted his medals for the 1914 service) - and filed in the WW1 Service Records (WO 363).

Source: Anc****y, MAR, pages 2240-2263