Albert Beale

Albert Edward Beale, c.1875 – 1961. Singer, Kenardington, Kent. Recorded by Peter Kennedy and Maud Karpeles, 1954. Born at Orlestone, on the edge of Romney Marsh in Kent (birth registered Sep 1875, East Ashford district). One of around 11 children, Albert's parents were “caravan-dwellers” who moved from Sussex to the Hamstreet area, and settled in a house. At the time of the 1881 Census he was living in a private dwelling at Hamstreet with his sister Louisa (age 8) and his grandparents, Charles and Phoeby Hall, both aged 63. Charles Hall is listed as “dealer”.

Albert and his younger brother Jim went to Hamstreet School, where they learned songs for singing at school concerts. Bert left school at 14, although he was very bright, especially at Maths, and his teacher wanted him to become a schoolmaster. His family couldn’t afford to keep him at school, and he spent the rest of his life doing farmwork, though he never really settled at anything. He’d do a bit of work, then do nothing for a while – one farmer said that when Bert was working he’d give him two men’s work just to keep him occupied. He used to earn money “chicken-picking” – would walk 7 days a week from Kenardington to Woodchurch when he was doing this. In the 1901 Census he is listed as Ordinary Agricultural Labourer.

Bert used to sing mainly at home, and family get-togethers, but not a lot in public - maybe some village concerts, but not in pubs. Played squeezebox (probably anglo-concertina) when he sang sometimes.

He knew a lot of songs, but only recorded half a dozen, because although Peter Kennedy gave him one or two guineas, he didn’t keep his promise to pay him more when the songs were broadcast on the radio. Kennedy paid several visits (he’d been put on to Bert by someone in Hamstreet?) but when he failed to keep his word, Bert wouldn’t have any more to do with him.

N.B. Orlestone, Hamstreet, Warhorne and Kenardington are adjoining villages.

Songs:

Bailiff’s daughter of Islington

In London’s Fair City (Villikins and his Dinah)

A comical ditty (Fol the rol lol)

A frog he would a wooing go

The Moon shines bright

Barbara Allen

Where are you going to, my pretty maid?

Sources:

Charles Beale (Albert's son), interviewed by Andy Turner at The Wish, Kenardington, 1983.

Unnumbered Folktracks cassette, recorded at Kenardington (N.B. not Kenardrington as Kennedy has it) by Peter Kennedy and Maud Karpeles, 14th Jan 1954.