Name
A Steele
9 Nov 1871
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
12/04/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
3479
South Staffordshire Regiment
2nd/6th Bn
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HARPENDEN (ST. NICHOLAS) CHURCHYARD
99/12
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Harpenden memorials
Pre War
Alexander was born in Elgin, Moray, Scotland on 9 Nov 1871 to Alexander Steele and Jessie (nee Sutter). On the 1881 Census Alexander was living with his widowed mother, elder brother John, and elder sister Elizabeth at Batchen, Elgin. By the 1891 Census Alexander, now 19, was an iron moulders labourer and was living with his brother John, an iron moulder and mother Jessie at New Street Dudley.
Alexander married Sophia Lilley on 4 Mar 1895 and on the 1901 Census were living at 14, The Square, Dudley together with children Jessie M and William H. On the 1911 Census they were living at 12, the Square, Dudley. Alexander was now an iron moulder and there were 3 further children – Lizzie M, Hannah and Alexander.
Wartime Service
Alexander attempted to enlist in the South Staffs Regiment as Private 12937 on 2 Sep 1914. He gave his address as 23 St James Street, Wednesbury, Staffs and stated he had served in the Argyll & Sutherland Volunteer Battalion. He was nearly 42 years old. He was posted to the 7th (Service) Battalion at Lichfield but was discharged on 6 Oct 1914 as unlikely to become an efficient soldier. Sometime shortly afterwards he enlisted in 2/6th South Staffs regiment as private 3476 (not 344 as recorded by CWGC). 2/6th was formed at Wolverhampton in Sep 1914 as Home Service Battalion and may have had lower entry standards. He deployed with this Battalion to the Luton area in Jan 1915.
He died on 12 Apr 1915 and is buried in St Nicholas Churchyard, Harpenden.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £2 5s 9d paid to his widow.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
