Albert Gendall (1875-1959?)
Guard at Eastgate prisoner of war camp
It seems that Albert Gendall probably took four years off his age (35 instead of 39) in order to re-enlist in 1914. He had previously served in the army from 1908-1912 and re-enlisted with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry once war had broken out.
By 1916, it may well have been obvious that Albert was rather older than he had stated when he attested, and he was transferred to the Royal Defence Corps. He briefly served with the 200th and 159th Protection Companies before being transferred to the 160th.
His army service record (Findmypast) shows that he was in trouble a few times while serving with the 160th Company. This punishment sheet shows that while at Eastgate prisoner of war camp he used improper language while referring to an officer (20 March 1917). He was also he guilty of “neglect of duty when on sentry at 12:10am” and deprived 3 day’s pay (2 August 1917).
However, when he was examined for discharge at Harperley prisoner of war camp, it was found that he was a “steady reliable man civil and of very good character.” (16 October 1917)
Albert’s documents contain a number of stamps bearing the words “160th Protection Company, Stanhope Prisoner of War”. His records seem to suggest that the 160th Protection Company guarded the Eastgate camp, as well as the prisoner of war camp at Stanhope. It also seems to suggest that they at least worked with the Harperley camp, too.
Civil Parish: Stanhope
Birth date: 1875
Death date: 1959
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Saint James Place, Church Street, Helston, Cornwall (army service record)
Employment: Grocer’s assistant (army service record)
Family: Parents: Albert Gendall, Sarah Gendall
Brother: Frank Gendall
Wife: Rosie Colman (married 1897), also known as Rosina (1901, 1911 census)
Children: Ada Gendall, Gwendolin Gendall (army service record)
Military service:
First enlisted: 28 May 1908-27 May 1912
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, 4th Battalion
Corporal
275
Enlisted: 4 August 1914
Reverted to private: 16 September 1914
Transferred to Royal Defence Corps: 2 September 1916
200th Protection Company: 2 September 1916
159th Protection Company: 8 September 1916
160th Protection Company: 27 October 1916
Royal Defence Corps
160th Protection Company
37989
Demobilised: 16 October 1917
Gender: Male
Contributed by Durham County Record Office
