Albert was born Albert Edward Blake early on Christmas Day 1899 at Grubbs Barn, Tewin, Hertfordshire to 19 year old Harriet Blake a domestic servant. No father is named on the birth certificate. The 1901 census shows that he was living with his paternal grandmother Margaret Curds in Bicknacre a few doors away from the Brewers Arms. By the time of the 1911 census, still living with Margaret Curds, he was known as Albert Curds the name he used when he enlisted at Warley.
The 1911 Census shows Albert Edward Curds senior living with Harriet in Lower Edmonton working as an office porter for Chatham and Dover Railway Company. It indicates that Albert and Harriet have been married for ten years but no marriage has been traced. The entry also mentions that they have had three children one of whom has died and the two remaining are living with them so it is unclear where Albert junior fits into the family structure.
Albert was less than 19 years old when he died so it is unlikely that he served in the battalion for long. He had been posted to the 1st Battalion The Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment who, after a few months in Italy, had been posted back to the Western Front in April 1918 when they would have been re-inforced with new recruits which probably included Albert. The battalion was involved in the Battle of Hazebrouck, a phase of the Battle of the Lys, from 12th –1 5th April. The Battle of the Lys or 4th Battle of Ypres was part of the German Spring Offensive to try to capture Ypres. The battalion was attached to 13th (Infantry) Brigade, 5th Division.
The battalion does not appear to have been involved in any other major engagements until after Albert’s death but they were, no doubt, called upon to man the forward trenches and become involved in patrols in no-man’s land on a regular basis.
At some stage Albert was wounded and transferred to one of the military hospitals in the Calais area where he died and is buried in Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte . He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. Albert senior received £3.14s.5d plus a gratuity of £3.