Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Alfred was born on 24 April 1883 in Borstal, Rochester, Kent to parents Henry and Martha.  One of eight children, his father Henry was an agricultural labourer and in 1901, Alfred was a cement labourer living at 5 Victoria Terrace, Borstal, Rochester, Kent.

On 24 April 1903, he enlisted with the Royal Marines, at Chatham.  In 1911, he was serving as a Gunner aboard HMS Hermione, an old 2^nd Class ‘Astraea’ Cruiser.  He served on HMS Marlborough  from June 1914 throughout the war until March 1920.  HMS Marlborough was torpedoed at the Battle of Jutland in 1916.  Alfred was awarded the 14/15 Star, British War and Allied Victoriy medals.

Alfred passed through Peterborough East Station on 10 April 1917 and signed the visitors’ book.

In the 1939 Register Alfred was recorded as single and living at 22 St Mary’s Grove, Islington, he was employed by the Corps of Commissionaires. Living at the same address was John Causer, also employed by the Corps of Commissionaires.

The Corps of Commissionaires was founded in 1859 by Captain Sir Edward Walter, a retired officer of the 8^th Hussars.  The purpose of the Corps was to find employment for soldiers returning from the Crimean War.  Employment opportunities for ex-servicemen were limited and often compounded by their physical injuries which placed a strain on many servicemen and their families. https://www.corpssecurity.co.uk/about-corps-security/corps-security-history/  

Alfred died in Bethnel Green aged 72 in March 1955, he left £425 to his sister Emma.

Please get in touch if you can you tell us more about Alfred or his family.