Alfred's Story.
Elsby, Alfred James “Fallen” (Pte.) An A. J. Elsby is named on the Weaverham St. Mary's “Roll of Honour,” he is also one of the “Fallen” Memorial;
C.W.G.C. record just two lads named Elsby who had been killed in WW1, with the first name starting with A, Albert from Sandbach and Alfred James from Burton-on-Trent. Alfred’s service documents record he was living at Sandiway when enlisting, see below.
Freebmd record a Alfred James Elsby born 1887 in Burton on Trent. This appears to be the address of his parents when C.W.G.C. where completing their files.
C.W.G.C. - remember Alfred James Elsby at TERLINCTHUN BRITISH CEMETERY, WIMILLE, France. Alfred died Sunday 24th November 1918, he was aged 31, with the 6th Bn. Cheshire Reg’t. No 44242. Attd. Royal Engineers. Son of James and Mary Elsby of Burton on Trent; husband of Mary A. Elsby of South St., Portwilliam, Wigtownshire. Personal Inscription; HE IS NOT DEAD BUT SLEEPING
N.A.M.C. - record Alfred J. with the Cheshire Reg’t. No 44242, Rank Private; Awarded the British and Victory Medals, Theatre of War and Date of Entry not addressed.
There are service documents for an Alfred James Elsby, with the 3rd Cheshires Reg’t. No 44242. Alfred was 28 when he enlisted, married and worked as a Butler, with the address of Gorstage Hall, Sandiway. Alfred stood 5ft 11in with a girth of 37in. His marriage was on the 22nd Aug. 1913 in Ayrshire to a Mary Ann Boan-Hood Mclean. Mary is his N.O.K. A Casualty Form/General Service document, it records his qualification which was Signaller, it also records he was a “Butler”, enlisted date, embarkation and postings. In September 1918, he appears to be suffering from Influenza.
By the 25th April 1920 Mary had moved to Portwilliam, Wigtownshire. Alfred’s parents James and mother Mary where at Burton on Trent along with 5 brothers and 3 sisters.
Alfred Elsby is included on the WW1 memorial inside the church which remembers the vicars son, Francis Stuart Long, along with other lads named on the main Memorial
Researched Bob Heaton
Researched Bob Heaton