Alfred enlisted into the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 9 July 1912 when aged 17. He was given service number 275722 and described as 5 feet 6 inches tall with brown hair, grey eyes, and a fresh complexion. He joined F Company of the Plymouth Division, one of three first line divisions. It is noted that he was underage from 9 July to 24 August 1912, when he turned 18.
Alfred’s service record is a little unclear, but he appeared to serve at ‘London’ from February 1914 until November 1916, which could be a place or a ship. The Sefton War Memorials Project state that he suffered shellshock and came home to be nursed at Linacre Hospital. There is no date provided, but he was dismissed on 18 November 1916 after six months imprisonment. His service record records ‘CM’ on 19 June 1916 and then a forfeit of pay thereafter for ‘P’, which likely indicates that he was court martialled and then imprisoned. From this point his attitude was described as ‘indifferent’ after previous good reports.
Alfred then joined the Royal Garrison Artillery where he was given service number 167960. He was killed in action on 30 September 1917 while serving with the 160th Siege Battery in France. He had arrived in the country just 12 days before. The battery was based at Spoilbank near Leper in Belgium, and Alfred was one of nine men killed by an enemy shell which buried them in their sap (a short trench).
Units
- Plymouth Division, Royal Marine Light Infantry (1912-1916)
- 160th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery (1917)
Medals
See also
