ALBERT DRUCE (BORN 1858)
Albert was born in Frome on 1st July 1858, the younger child of Charles and Amelia. A copy of the birth certificate is shown below. Records show that he was admitted to the Union Workhouse, Frome on 2nd July 1858. His elder sister Sarah was admitted to the Workhouse a day later. Albert was baptised on 21st July 1858.
Amelia had been admitted to the Workhouse destitute and pregnant on 28th May 1858. Charles had quite probably moved away from the area because of lack of work in Somerset. The 1861 Census evidences Amelia, Sarah and Albert still being in the Workhouse. Albert probably stayed with his mother for a few years
Albert was certainly living with Charles and his second wife, Eliza, in 1881, as evidenced by the Census taken in that year. The family lived at 25 Corunna Road, Battersea. Albert served an apprenticeship as a boiler maker and subsequently became a journeyman. He married Kate Martha Keegan (born 1863) at St. Philip's Church in the Parish of Battersea on 21st December 1889. Kate was a daughter of James Keegan, a steward. The Keegan family lived at 33 Montefiore Street in Battersea. The marriage certificate shows that Charles Druce was deceased when Albert (aged 31) and Kate (aged 26) were married. 52 St. George's Road, Battersea was Albert's home address at the time of his marriage and was Eliza's home as evidenced by the 1891 Census. Albert subsequently lived at 373 Wandsworth Road. This house still stands and the present owner has kept the property in a good state of repair, as evidenced by the photograph below.
Albert and Kate had four children namely, Kate Amelia (born 1890), Albert James (born 1893), Reginald Charles (born 1895) and Frederick William (born 1899).
Albert died on 21st June 1939 aged 81 years at 212 Melfort Road in Croydon. His son Frederick was present at the time of death. The cause of death was carcinoma of the liver.
KATE AMELIA DRUCE
Kate (born 1890) was the eldest child and only daughter of Albert and Kate. She married Percy Foster who worked for the General Post Office. Kate and Percy had one child, namely, Donald who pursued a career in the Royal Navy.
ALBERT JAMES DRUCE
Albert (my grandfather) was born on 14th June 1893 (see separate page).
REGINALD CHARLES DRUCE
Reginald (born 1895) was the second son of Albert and Kate. He worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway Company in Trafalgar Square, London and lived at 212 Melfort Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey. Reginald was married to Victoria Dorothy Mandry. They had no children. Reginald died in 1952.
FREDERICK WILLIAM DRUCE
Frederick (born 1899) was the youngest son of Albert and Kate. He lived at 77 Marlow Drive, North Cheam, Surrey and was a bus driver by profession. Frederick did not marry.