Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
Albert Benwell Foott was born at Stainton the son of Joseph and Mary (nee Raine) on December 17th 1881 then later baptised on March 5th 1882. Mary was previously married to James Addison in 1866 but he died in 1874, however there were 4 sons and a daughter from that union including Annie. Mary married Albert’s father, Joseph, on June 28th 1877 at Teesdale Register Office.
The 1891 census shows Joseph Benwell Foott, was working as a farmer/grocer. Alongside him was his wife, Mary and step daughter Annie Addison, several visitors and a boarder, William Gibbon, who was a farm servant.
By 1901 father, Joseph, was now working as a quarryman. Albert was a coach painter. Their niece, Minnie Raine, was working as a domestic servant there.
A bit of trouble arose in 1906 when Joseph was accused of stealing hay. The case was heard at Middleton in Teesdale but was dismissed.
Albert married his, sweetheart Sarah Maude Richardson (a school mistress) on August 1st 1908 at Marske Church near Saltburn. There followed four children - Albert (1909), Ronald (1912) Harold (1913) and Beryl (1915).
His father Joseph died in 1909 and his mother Mary died in 1914.
Prior to the war Albert was a co-owner of Addison and Foot Coachbuilders situated at the Bank, Barnard Castle. It was a family business. It appears Albert and his half brother, John J. Addison went into partnership as carriage builders/repairers, that is until mid 1914 when the partnership was dissolved. Both partners set up their own businesses independent of each other.
Albert went to war and served with the 7th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment.
He was reported missing on March 31st 1918 and showed on a War Office Daily List 5575 dated May 25th 1918. A further notification by War Office List number 5773 on January 16th 1919 confirmed Albert died of a shot wound to the chest/abdomen. He was a prisoner of war in German hands at Becourt. He died April 2nd 1918.
The Teesdale Mercury 08/05/1918 reports:
Private A. Foott, late coachbuilder, Barnard Castle, is officially reported missing.
His estate was valued at £1097.8s 1d
The notification report shows that Albert was buried near the little Castle at Becourt in a common grave. His disc and paybook were sent in.
The Teesdale Mercury 20/11/1918 reports:
"Mrs. Albert Foott has received intimation from the War Office that her husband, formerly a coachbuilder at Barnard Castle, died on the 2nd of April of wounds in the chest, and was buried near the little Castle of Becourt, in France."
The inscription on his headstone reads :- Still mourned by his wife and four children. God is love S.M.F.
Becourt German Cemetery Memorial 6 was the original resting place of Albert but he was later re-interred at Blighty Valley Cemetery. “To the memory of those British soldiers who died 1918 as prisoners of war and were buried at the time at Becourt German Cemetery but whose graves are now lost.” “Their glory shall not be blotted out”
During the period Albert was reported missing his wife (representing her husband) sued labourer, David Jones of Thorngate for 12/6d for taking 25 loads of sand from the foreshore at Thorngate Mill, owned by the plaintiff. The taking of the sand was disputed as it was thought to be on public land and had never been questioned before. Mrs Foott won her case.
Acknowledgements: Catherine Ryan
Albert Benwell Foott is remembered in Startforth on S150.01 and in Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25
