Albert Edward RICHARDSON - England to Canada

[Jomot1]

FindmyPast has a 1907Militia Attestation for an Albert Edward Richardson, who then joined the regular army on 19 Sep 1907, only it wasnt the RFA, it was the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (on paperwork as KOYL Infantry)

The Militia Attestation was into the Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)as No. 8602. Enlisted 1 May 1907 aged 17 years & 4 months. His family were named as father John Richardson, elder brother William, brother George, and elder sister Clara. Address given for all was 301 Chapter Road, Willesden Green, Willesden. I note that the address for Gertrude Richardson on his Canadian papers was also Chapter Road, Willesden.

In 1911 at 301 Chapter Road, Willesden:
John Richardson 57 Widower Road Sweeper for WDC(?) b Henley on Thames
Albert Richardson 21 Son Engine Cleaner for Great central Railway, born Kentish Town

1891 at Marsden Street, St Pancras
John Richardson 39 Pianoforte Labourer b Henley on Thames
Susan 39 b Henley on Thames
Frederick 11
William 7
Clara 4
Albert 1 - b St Pancras

Birth registrations (including George Arthur 1892) all give mmn Jemmett

Attestation into the KOYLI 18 Sep 1907 under Service No 9359 aged 18 yrs & 8 months. Discharged 14 Nov 1907, not likely to become an efficient soldier.
Same details provided for father & brothers, including address

[Jomot1]

In 1901 the family was at 7 Dudding Hall Lane, Willesden, although John gives a different PoB

John Richardson 50 Widower, Road Sweeper b Grays, Essex
William 18
Clara 15
Albert 10
George 8

There is a long write-up in the Kilburn Times 7 Sep 1900 about the inquest into Susan's death in the street outside the Crown pub.

[Jomot1]

The family story was that he died from Spanish Flu, but this is never mentioned in his service records

Its mentioned on the record card on page 5 of his Canadian service record:

Dang[erously] ill 57 CCS Nov 30 1918
Dat(?) 57 CCS Dec 2/18 Influenza

So it looks like he died at 57 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station 57) on 2 Dec 1918 of Influenza (it wasnt known as 'Spanish Flu' at the time).

57 CCS was at Valenciennes Nov 1918 - Oct 1919, which ties in, and he is mentioned briefly in the war diary as amongst those who died on 2 Dec 1918:
Deaths 90079 Gr Richardson AE CFA [???] 1st Can Div

ADDED: He's also mentioned on 30 November

The war diary is currently free to download once you've registered and signed in here: https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...70f10a44866e33

[Lesley Robertson]

That flu outbreak was the last documented pandemic, before now.