Name
Alfred Brown
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/03/1915
34
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
6013
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
II. E. 2
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
St Albans Citizens Memorial, Town Hall (old) Memorial, St Albans, Not on the Wheathampstead memorials
Pre War
Alfred was born in Wheathampstead in 1879 to Sarah Brown, a straw plaiter. There was no mention of a father. On 1881 Census Alfred and his mother Sarah were living at Wheathampstead Hill with Sarah’s parents John and Milly Brown, and her brother John Brown.
Alfred attested for the Bedfordshire Militia as Private 3395 on 21 Sep 1896, giving his address as Sopwell Lane, St Albansand was embodied (taken into service) on 11 Jul 1897 in the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Alfred would have served them on their overseas detatchments to Dublin, South Africa (1900, Boer War), Gibraltar (1907 -9), Bermuda (1909-12), and South Africa (1912-14). On the 1911 Census Alfred was recorded serving with 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment in Bermuda.
Alfred married Eva Jane Nash in St Albans district in 1908, there would be two children Gladys Mary Irene (born 1 Jul 1911) and Harold Alfred Percy (born 13 Nov 1914).
Wartime Service
No Great War Service Record could be found for Alfred, who may have extended his original term of Service.
When War was declared the 2nd Battalion were in place at Roberts Heights, Pretoria, South Africa and returned to UK on 19 Sep 1914. After being re-equipped and now part of 7 Division left from Southampton on 5 Sep 1914 eventually landing at Zeebruggeon 7 Oct 1914. Moving south the Division met German opposition on 18 Oct 1914 on the Menin Road. They were involved in the 1st Battle of Ypres (19 Oct – 22 Nov 1914) and in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle (10 - 13 Mar 1915). After initial successes the 2nd Beds being in reserve moved forward to take up positions in the front line under shell fire from German artillery and were they subjected to a counter attack on the 13th which resulted in casualties of 28 killed, 130 wounded, and 16 missing. Alfred is reported as died of wounds on either 13 or 14 Mar 1915.
Additional Information
War Gratuity £5 and arrears of £10 0s 7d was paid to his widow Eva, whose address was 30 Harley Street, St Albans.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Gareth Hughes
