Aircraftman 1st Class Albert John Asker

AC1 Albert John Asker’s death, on 20th September, 1942, is recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, but the cause would have remained a mystery, had it not been for one of Kenley’s Canadian pilots – P/O Allister McClean Skinner, who wrote in his diary:

had quite a shock this A. M. At 5.30 was walking to my kite when an RAF chap on the sq walked into a prop on “A” [Flight] and was killed. Sqn collected £35 for his wife and family.

This must have been truly awful for all concerned, especially ‘Bert’s’ family.

Albert John Asker was born 18th March, 1914. His Father, George Augustine Asker, had been born in Bolarum, Andhra Pradesh, India, but his Mother, Isabella Emily Asker (nee Arthur) was from Hackney, and it appears that ‘Bert’ lived in the East End of London for most of his life. He came from a large family – Isabella had seven children, though the eldest, Robert, died aged 2.

In April 1934, Albert married Edith Agombar, in Hackney. By 1939, the couple were living at 12 Digby Crescent, Stoke Newington and ‘Bert’ was working as a waiter in a restaurant. Details of his service are scant, but it appears that he enlisted at Cardington after April 1941.

AC1 Asker was laid to rest in Chingford Mount Cemetery where the inscription on his grave reads:

In living memory. Forever in our thoughts. Mum, Edith and Alec.

Rest in peace Sir and thank you for your service.