ALBERT GEORGE HASKETT
One noticeable characteristic of families living in the Landport area is the frequent change of address. So, to find a family living at the same address for over 30 years is unusual. Such is the case of the Haskett family who were recorded living at 46 Sea View, Rudmore at all censuses between 1881 and 1911 and possibly later.
The head of the family during this period was Charles Henry Haskett who had been born in Salisbury in 1857. He was variously described as a dealer, general dealer and potato dealer. In 1877 he had married Sara Jane Stallard and together at 46 Sea View they raised a family of 4 sons and 3 daughters. Albert George Haskett was the eldest and he evidently followed his father's interests as he was described as a greengrocer in 1911.
Albert George was 31 years of age when hostilities commenced on 4th August 1914. He did not enlist straight away, possibly because he had decided to get married to Ethel Daniels. The ceremony took place early in 1915, a few months before Albert Attested under the Derby Scheme which allowed older and married men to volunteer for service knowing that they would not be called up until the supply of single men had been exhausted.
In the event, the Derby Scheme, and the conscription legislation that followed, excused Albert from duty until January 1917. In March that year he was sent to France with the Wiltshire Regiment where he saw much heavy fighting. He was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty whilst delivering despatches under heavy fire. He was killed near Mons on November 6th 1918, less than a week before Armistice Day.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists Private Albert George Haskett, (33475), died on 06/11/1918, aged 35 years, 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment. He is buried at Roisin Communal Cemetery (Grave Ref: A.25.). Son of Charles Henry and Sarah Jane Haskett; husband of Ethel Louisa Voysey (formerly Haskett), of 32, Widley Rd., Stamshaw, Portsmouth.
Albert Haskett is remembered on the St. John the Baptist Church WW1 memorial. The memorial was transferred to St. Agatha's Church, Market Way when St. John's* was declared redundant in 1980. Also remembered on the Cenotaph and in the National Roll, Vol. X, p101.
Tim Backhouse
January 2014
*St. John the Baptist's Church was on Simpson Road, just north of the junction between Twyford Avenue and the Rudmore roundabout. It was converted to private accommodation.