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Independent Islands => Alderney, Guernsey, Jersey, Sark => Topic started by: mjn on Monday 22 April 13 16:32 BST (UK)

Title: Fort Albert Barracks, Alderney
Post by: mjn on Monday 22 April 13 16:32 BST (UK)

A friend of mine has found that one of her ancestors was at Fort Albert Barracks at the time of the 1901 census. As he was born in Suffolk and was back in Suffolk at the time of the 1911 census, she's puzzled as to why he was in Alderney. Can anyone help, please?

Title: Re: Fort Albert Barracks, Alderney
Post by: CaroleW on Monday 22 April 13 16:37 BST (UK)

Does the 1901 entry show him as a soldier?  If so - presumably his regiment was stationed for a time in Alderney

Title: Re: Fort Albert Barracks, Alderney
Post by: mjn on Monday 22 April 13 16:59 BST (UK)

Thanks, Carole, for your prompt reply. He's listed as an agricultural labourer which doesn't seem to tie in with him being a soldier.

Title: Re: Fort Albert Barracks, Alderney
Post by: Cdrh-Wright on Saturday 04 January 14 16:00 GMT (UK)

I also have an ancestor who was born in Ipswich and resident at Albert Barracks in the 1901 census. He is listed as a farm carter.

Title: Re: Fort Albert Barracks, Alderney
Post by: rogervmarshall on Friday 03 April 15 12:10 BST (UK)

My Great Uncle was also listed as being at the Fort on the 1901 census, as a Lieutenant in the Suffolk Regiment. He cannot have been there long as he qualified for the South Africa Medal & Clasp for serving in the South African war of 1899-1902, on attachment to the 3rd Batt. York & Lancaster Regiment. (He died on 30 March 1915 on the Western Front.)
The census list is not very enlightening as the Fort seemed to hold few soldiers but a lot of skilled (and unskilled) labourers. It seems it was a Napoleonic Fort so perhaps in 1901 it was being rebuilt.