Introduction

Albert Shire’s life story is closely connected with that of his parents and siblings. After working as a baker, he turned to farming, probably prompted by his desire to support his sister, Lily, during difficult times. Upon returning to live with his ageing parents, Albert became a smallholder, managing a farm at Lyatts. He never married and may have lived alone during the last eight years of his life.

Childhood at East Chinnock

Albert was born at East Chinnock in 1858 and was the eldest child of Walter and Sarah Shire. His birth was registered in the third quarter of 1858 under the name Albert William Andrews Shire.

His father, Walter, was initially a farm labourer, but by April 1871, he had become an “Engine Driver,” which probably means he operated traction engines to perform farm work. At that time, the family lived at 13 East Street, and Albert contributed a small amount to the household by working as an errand boy.

Hardington

By April 1879, the family had moved to Hardington. By April 1881, they resided in the High Street, and in about 1884, they moved to Lyatts.

During the 1880s, Albert worked as a baker, as recorded in the 1881 census. In August 1889, he advertised for a position as a baker.[1] However, by April 1891, he had switched from baking to agriculture, possibly in response to his sister Lily’s circumstances. Lily had an illegitimate daughter with Edwin Maby, a soldier from Haselbury, in March 1888, and two years later, she became pregnant again by an unknown man. Albert may have moved to an isolated farm near Chard to provide Lily with some privacy.

Freelands near Chard

By April 1891, Albert lived at Freelands near Chard with Lily as his housekeeper and their twelve-year-old sister, Mary.[2] The census of that year describes him as a farmer who was also “employed,” which may mean that he was a farm manager. Lily’s daughter, Ada Lilian May, was born there on 10 May 1891.[3]

Return to Hardington

Later that decade, Lily moved to Hammersmith, where she married Harold Anstey, a house painter, on 3 June 1899. Harold took Lily’s daughter, Ada, and her sister, Mary, into his home.

Meanwhile, Albert returned to live with his parents and help on their farm. His sister Louisa acted as their housekeeper for many years, but after her marriage in 1915 at the age of 55, her sister Sarah returned from London to take her place.

By June 1921, Albert was a smallholder in business on his own account. He also earned money as a dealer.[4]

Albert may have lived alone for the last eight years of his life. His father died in June 1925, and his mother died in May 1926; in December 1926, his sister Sarah married Leonard Wakely.

Albert died on 1 November 1934 at the age of 76, leaving an estate valued at £310.

Albert Shire’s will

Albert appointed his sister, Lily Anstey, and her daughter, Elsie, as his executors and trustees.

He directed them to sell everything, invest the proceeds, and pay the income to his sister, Sarah Wheatley [Wakely], for life, then his sister, Mary Sugg, for her life and then divide the capital equally between Mary Sugg’s five children.[5]

Sarah Wakely died in 1955, and Mary Sugg died in 1947.

References

[1] Western Gazette, 30 August 1889, p.4.

[2] Mary is called Polly in the 1891 census.

[3] 1939 Register.

[4] His father’s grant of probate dated 18 September 1925.

[5] The will of Albert William Shire, dated 10 July 1933, proved at Bristol on 2 April 1935.