Name
Alfred Cannon
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/05/1917
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
696796
Canadian Infantry
31st Bn.
‘C’ Coy
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIMY MEMORIAL
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
He was the son of the late Charles and Elizabeth Cannon of 9, Walsworth Road, Hitchin. Alfred was born 24th September 1886 in Hitchin. He worked as a farmer before enlisting 12th May 1916.
His enlistment papers record him as 29 years 8 month, 5’ 8 1/2” with blue eyes and black hair.
Wartime Service
His Service Number was 696796 and he served in the 31st Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment). He had probably emigrated before the war and volunteered in Canada.
On the day of his death the Battalion was part of the 6th Brigade, 2 Canadian Division, 1st Army. The 6th Brigade attacked Fresnoy 3 miles east of Vimy and were on the left of the most northerly Division involved in the attack which extended to about 15 miles in length. The Brigade was held up by uncut wire and suffered heavy casualties. The enraged survivors swarmed into Fresnoy and battered to death any German machine gunners they could find to avenge the deaths of their comrades. He was in ‘C’ Company of the Battalion and was reported wounded and missing.
He has no known grave and is remembered on the Vimy Memorial to the Missing in France.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, The Canadian digital library & Archives www.bac-lac.gc.ca, Jonty Wild
