Vital Statistics
Albert John Pinsent: 1882 – 1928 GRO0015 (“Sergeant” in Devon Regiment and “clay cutter” in Newton Abbot, Devon)
Hilda Maude Brimblecombe: 1891 – 1925
Married: 1912: Newton Abbot, Devon
Children by Hilda Maude Brimblecombe:
William Edwin Pinsent: 1912 – 1985 (Married Agnes Foster, Llanaber, Merionethshire, 1940)
Alfred John Richard Pinsent: 1914 – 1920
Harriet Hilda Priscilla Pinsent: 1916 – 1997 (Married Ronald Patrick Nicholls, Newton Abbot, Devon, 1943)
Wallace Frederick Pinsent: 1920 – 2004 (Married Audrey Ivy Beckett, Sompting, Sussex, 1946)
Winifred May Brimblecombe Pinsent: 1921 – xxxx (Married Stanley Frederick Castle, Winchester, Hampshire, 1947)
Daughter (GRO0587)
Family Branch: Bristol
PinsentID: GRO0015
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Albert John Pinsent was the second son of John Pinsent by his wife, Ann Paddon. He had one brother and four surviving sisters, all but one of whom were born in or around Bovey Tracey between 1874 and 1894. The 1911 census refers to a second brother, “Willie”, who would have been born around 1900. Similarly, Wallace and “Willie” Pinsent were said to be Florence Annie Pinsent’s brothers, and among the chief mourners when she died in 1918 (Western Times: Friday 22nd March 1918). However, I think it unlikely that he was their brother. “Willie” was probably Florence’s illegitimate nephew William Henry Pinsent (the son of Ada Pinsent) who was the right age and could, logically, have been brought up in the family as another son. This branch of the family was strongly embedded in the pottery and brick making industries and illegitimate children were all too common.
John and Ann were living apart when the 1891 census was taken. Albert and several of his siblings were living with their mother in Ilsington parish – where their grandfather (John Pinsent) came from. He was said to be a “scholar,” so he had some education before being sent out to work. The next census, which was taken in 1901, shows that he was a “coal slacker” living with his family at “#16 South View” in Bovey Tracey. The presence of low-quality coal and lignite, and brick and pottery-grade clay deposits in a geological formation known as the “Bovey Beds” had been known for quite some time, and the village of Bovey Tracey had grown into a major brick and pottery-producing centre. This was particularly so since the arrival of the railway, in 1866. A “slacker” was expected to sort through fine coal and removed clay particles before it was shoveled into a furnace. He was probably either employed at one of the coal pits or a brick works. His father was a “labourer” in a brick-works. Perhaps they worked together.
Albert and his brother Wallace were most likely, the A. and W. Pinsent who played cricket for Bovey Tracy in 1901. Unfortunately, they were not formally identified and there were quite a few Pinsents around at the time. Evidently, in a match against “White, Chatton and Co.” (a household furnishing firm in Torquay) in June 1901, “A special word of praise is (was) due to A. Pinsent who captured 4 wickets for 7 runs, and brought off the hat trick. … The home team on going in looked like winning the match with very little difficulty, Staddon and Carpenter scoring at a great pace. … The only other batsman on the home side, with the exception of the two already named, to make any stand against Davey’s bowling was W. Pinsent who played very carefully for 10” (Torquay Times, and South Devon Advertiser: Friday 7th June 1901). The two of them played together several times that month.
Albert’s playing career was, however, to be ended by a long stints in the army and he dropped out of the team. However, he seems to have played a few games now and then. The Ellacombe (Chudleigh) 2nd XI seem to have beaten his Bovey 2nd XI team in June 1910 (Totnes Weekly Times: 11th June 1910). “A Pinsent” scored 31 (out of a total of 113) – which is not bad; however Ellacombe won by 2 runs with several wickets in hand.
Albert was nineteen years old when he joined the army in February 1902. He initially signed on for six years with the “Devonshire Royal Artillery” as a “gunner.” This was a militia unit and thus restricted to near-home service. His attestation papers tell us that he was single when he joined, he had not been apprenticed and he had no previous military experience. He had, however, worked as a “labourer” for a Mr. Robinson in Bovey Tracey. Albert was living (presumably lodging) on Waterloo Avenue in Ford, near Devonport when he signed up. He was 5 ft. 8 ½ in. tall, weighted 134 lbs., had a chest that expanded from 32 to 34 ins., a dark complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. Otherwise, he had no particular distinguishing features. Albert named his father, John, and his brother Wallace (who lived on Fore Street in Bovey Tracey) as his next of kin.
Albert later transferred to a main-line unit, the “Royal Garrison Artillery” (Royal Regiment of Artillery), for an extended term that could amount to seven years abroad, and after that five years in the reserves. “Gunner” Albert John Pinsent [#10516] finished his basic training on 23rd March 1902 and served at home for almost a year before being sent to Gibraltar, where he served from 4th February 1903 to the 9th November 1903. While there, he passed his proficiency tests for “dial reading and gun-laying” (13th June, 1903). The unit transferred to Malta on 10th November 1903. While there, he served with “99 Coy. R.G.A.”. He remained with the unit until 20th October 1908.
On 16th July 1904 Albert agreed to extend his service to eight years, and was granted the “1st G.C. Badge” a week later. However, he was to commit the unpardonable crime of striking a superior officer on 11th November 1907 and resist the military escort when it was sent to apprehend him! I suspect alcohol was involved. He was sentenced to 72 days detention but was released somewhat sooner, on 26th November. The next day he was posted as “duty gunner” which was probably not a coveted assignment. Needless to say, he forfeited his badge.
Albert suffered several fairly prolonged bouts of sickness while in Malta. He suffered from gonorrhea for 47 days in January 1904, from some sort of fever for 11 days in July 1905. Worse still, he had “Mediterranean fever” – whatever that was – for 106 days starting in January 1906. There was also a case of syphilis for 43 days in July 1908. Albert was shipped home on 21st October 1908. He still had several years of service still to run; however, it may have been in a reserve unit on an “on-demand” basis. Attestation for Militia: [WO 96/1328/45 – Militia Attestation: Devon Artillery Western Division: R.G. A.) [Findmypast.com]. He was finally released from service on 23rd March 1914 (after serving his twelve years) .
Albert was an experienced soldier and only 33 years old when the “First World War” started, so he seems to have re-enlisted. Sergeant Albert Pinsent, of the “Devon Regiment” [#2415] and of the “Machine Gun Corps: M.G.C.” [#61145] was awarded the Victory and British Medals (Roll MGC/101 page 3587); and also the Star Medal (MGC/15c, page 1962) for his war service (British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards: 1914-1920: Ancestry.com). Why he chose not to re-join the “Royal Artillery”, I do not know. He saw action in “Theatre 3” (Russia, Balkans (?)) on 15th September 1915 (National Archives WO 372/16).
Back in England after the war, Albert went back to being a “labourer” in one of the clay works near Bovey Tracey. He lived on Exmouth Street in Chudleigh and took part in the town’s Coronation Festivities in 1911. He was part of that “splendid band of the Ugbrooke Royal Rumfloozlers. The band was organized by Mr. Searle and was headed by two grotesque banner bearers (Messrs. J. Nixon and A. Pinsent). All those taking part were in comic costume. “ (Western Devon Weekly Express: Friday 23rd June 1911). It must have made quite an impression!
Albert married Hilda Maude Brimblecombe in Wolborough (Newton Abbot) in April 1912. They married by banns. Why Albert named his father as “William John” Pinsent and not just “John” Pinsent I am not sure. Perhaps his father used “William John” to differentiate himself from his father (Albert’s grandfather) another John Pinsent. He lied about his age too. Why, I have no idea. Hilda signed “by mark,” so had had little or no schooling.
Albert and Hilda had had four children by the time the census-takers came by in 1921; however, one had died young. The record shows that Albert was a “clay digger” employed by Mr. Fox at the “Devon and Courtney Clay Company.” He lived in a fairy large house on “Victoria Place” in Newton Abbot that he shared with the Petty Johns family. The Electoral Registers (1920-1932) tell us that John and Hilda lived at “#29 Victoria Street” in Chudleigh in Wolborough (Newton Abbot) district between 1922 and 1925. Hilda had six children in all, however, she died of an embolism following the birth of the last, in 1925. Albert John never remarried. He hardly had time too! He himself died in “Newton Abbot Hospital” in March 1928. He was a “clay-works labourer” and only 45 years old . What happened to the children when he died, I am not sure. However, most of them survived.
Albert and Hilda’s eldest son William Edwin and their third son, Wallace Frederick Pinsent both married in the 1940s. Interestingly, William Edwin described his father as being a “sergeant major” When he married. Perhaps he was. However, when Wallace was born in 1920, his father was said to be a “clay-works labourer and ex-Sergeant in the Devon Regiment.” William Edwin and Wallace Frederick’s lives are described elsewhere. Albert and Hilda’s three daughters married during or after the Second World War and they may well have families throughout the country.
Family Tree
GRANDPARENTS
Grandfather: John Pinsent: 1823 – 1902
Grandmother: Elizabeth Loveys: 1817 -1884
PARENTS
Father: John Pinsent: 1852 – 1917
Mother: Ann Paddon: 1849 – 1922
FATHER’S SIBLINGS (AUNTS, UNCLES)
Emily Pinsent: 1850 – 1857
John Pinsent: 1852 – 1917
Elizabeth Pinsent: 1854 – xxxx
Anne Pinsent: 1856 – 1857
Anne Pinsent: 1858 – xxxx
William Pinsent: 1860 – 1936
Laura Emily Pinsent: 1863 – 1868
Illegitimate: Jane Ann Mead Pinsent: 1845 – 1914
MALE SIBLINGS (BROTHERS)
Wallace Pinsent: 1877 – 1955
Albert John Pinsent: 1882 – 1928
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