Royal Air Force, Service no. 1103532
Born: 26th September 1913.
Story
Albert was the son of Albert Edward Lilley (1889-1971) and Mary Ann Crawshaw (1889-1923). His father re-married Clara Muriel Smart (1896-1959) in 1927 after the death of his first wife. Clara’s brother was Albert Smart, who was a Prisoner of War during the First World War, and the family lived at 15 Helena Street. Albert Edward Lilley jnr. was educated at Castleford Grammar School, and was a member of the Kippax St John Ambulance Brigade, like his younger brother Walter, who was the first Kippax casualty of the War, when he was killed over Heligoland on 18th December 1939 after shooting down four Messerschmitts.
Before the War, Albert had been an attendant, then a Mental Nurse at Mickleover County Mental Hospital in Derbyshire. He became a Leading Aircraftman in the Royal Air Force around the time his brother was killed, and was promoted to Corporal after serving for a little over a year. While serving in India, Albert met Harry Hancock, of 10 Oak Avenue, Garforth, who had been a fellow Castleford Grammar School student. After further service in North Africa, on 25th May 1945, it was reported that Albert had been mentioned in despatches for rescuing the pilot of a Spitfire from his blazing plane in Italy. He wrote back home to explain: “I could not stand there and see the man burned.”
After 5½ years of service, on 31st May 1946, it was reported that Albert had been demobilised, and had left the R.A.F. For his devotion to duty in Italy while evacuating sick and wounded soldiers by air, Albert was awarded the British Empire Medal. Albert had been on Repton Rural Council’s list of housing applicants for seven years, with his wife and two children. On 3rd April 1947, it was reported that they had been given a former R.A.F. hut in the grounds of Egginton Hall, which had been acquired by the Ministry of Health for purposes of emergency housing. Two other families were to share the hut with them. The following year, he was living at 8 Wilson Close, Hospital Close, Mickleover and had resumed work as a Mental Nurse at Pastures Hospital. On 22nd October 1948, Albert qualified with the Royal Medical Psychological Association in London. He continued to live in Derby, and passed away on 18th December 2002, at the age of 89.
Kippax Roll of Honour 