ALBERT RUFUS WOODNUTT

Born - 5th October 1848 at 7 King Place, St. Helier`s, Jersey, Channel Islands.

Father - Daniel Woodnutt a Labourer.

Mother - Elizabeth Edgerton.

Joined the Royal Engineers at Brompton Barracks, Chatham, England on 29th May 1868 at 11 a.m. aged 19 years & 7 months.) and received 2s. and a free kit. His trade is listed as a Mathematical Instrument maker on his enlistment. He seems to have been in the Ordinance Survey section of the Royal Engineers.

He was originally with the 40th company (Royal Engineers) but was transferred to the 13th company, on 13th July 1869 (listed as being travelling on ship from 13-18th July), with whom he spent most of his military career. The 13th comp. were stationed in Dublin (to Dec. 1871), London (to June 1872), Chester (to Dec. 1873), Inverness (to Apr.-June 1878), Norwich (to Oct.-Nov. 1878), Derby (to Sept. 1887), Edinburgh (to Sept. 1882), Clifton, Bristol (to Oct. 1887), although Albert Rufus seems to have spent most of his career on detachment in Ireland, the Head Quarters of which were in Dublin. He seems to have spent most of his time up to 1873 in Co. Derry where he married his first wife and his first two children were born. He was transferred to the 14th Company stationed in Dublin) when he was promoted in 1887.

He was originally paid 1s. 4d. per day (£25. 1s. 11d. per year) as a Sapper (Private), which decreased to 1s. 1d. per day (£20. 10s. 7d. per year) in 1873. His pay increased to 1s. 10d. per day (£33. 9s. 2d. per year) on 2nd February 1887 when he was paid as a Lance Corporal. He was promoted to Second Corporal on 21th September 1887 after which he received 2s. 2d per day (£39. 10s. 10d. per year). He also received 1d. good conduct pay from 2nd June 1870, which increased to 2d. from 1st October 1874, to 3d. from 30th may 1880 and 4d from 30th May 1884.

Albert Rufus (The back of the photograph suggests it was taken in Jersey)

He received a medal with gratuity for long service and good conduct in 1886. He finally left the army on 4th June 1889 having served 21 years, 6 days.

After leaving the Royal Engineers Albert Rufus joined the Ordinance Survey as at Temporary Civilian Assistant and is listed as an Engraver (in July 1890). He is later listed, in birth certs as a Machinist O.S. and later as an Optician in the O.S. (probably made opticial survey instruments).

Married First Wife - Jane Coyle on 29th January 1871 at St. Columban Church, Derry City, Co. Londonderry.

9 children- Ellin Edgerton born 02/11/1871

Mary Josephine born 07/09/1873

Albert Edward born 11/09/1875

William Walter born 28/09/1877

Fredrick Agustus born 26/09/1879

Gurtrude Elizabeth born 21/12/1881

Ada Charlotte Theresa born 22/07/1885

Leo Helier Joseph born 22/03/1888

Elevin Annette born 09/11/1890

Married Second Wife - Bridget Doherty on 14th January 1894 at Fairview, Drumcondra, Dublin.

3 children- Ernest Leopold born 09/01/1895

Francis Christopher born 17/12/1897

Ethel Evelyn born 22/07/1899

Lived at 13 First Avenue, S.C.R., Inchicore, Dublin, after leaving the army.

Died - 29th March 1918 (aged 69) at the Royal Hospital Kilmanium, Dublin, of cystits ( inflammation of the bladder) & hydrocele (4 months), Cardiac failure.Buried at - Kilbarrack, Sutton, Dublin.

Physical description on joining the army - 5` 8«" high, 132 lbs. weight, chest circumference 33 inches with a fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.

Albert Rufus (right)