Alfred's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Alfred Finlow was born in Macclesfield in 1884, the son of Ann and Samuel Finlow, a bread baker. In 1891, seven-year-old Alfred was living at 13 Duke Street, Sutton, south Macclesfield (later known as Jackson Street) with his parents and siblings Robert (18), Mary (17), Emma (15), Samuel (14), Frances (10), Eliza (9), Annie (6), Clara (4) and Laura (1). Ten years later the family was living at the same property and Alfred was himself working as a bread baker, probably alongside his father who appeared to have his own bakery business on the same premises as the family home.
By 1911, twenty-seven-year-old Alfred was the oldest son still living at home, and still working as a baker, now working for Mr C Palin, Park Lane rather than his father. His younger siblings, Annie (26), Clara (24), Laura (21), Herbert (19) and Beatrice (15) were all employed as mill hands. Alfred's father died in 1913.
MILITARY SERVICE
In his Army records, Alfred's name was incorrectly recorded as Findlow.
Alfred attested in Macclesfield on 12th December 1915 and was mobilised on 20th March 1916, joining the local 7th Cheshire Regiment with service number 4454. After training, Alfred was posted overseas with the 13th Cheshire Regiment on 16th September 1916, but was wounded on 26th October. He was first treated at No. 44 Casualty Clearing Station which at that time was near Puchevillers, then transferred to No. 77 Field Ambulance, before arriving on 24th October at the 3rd Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne, where he was also treated for bronchitis.
Alfred rejoined his battalion in January 1917, and was granted leave to return to the UK from 12 December until 25th December 1917. On 4th February 1918 he was transferred to the 9th Cheshire Regiment with service number 49611.
Alfred was killed in action on 24th March 1918. His death was reported in the Macclesfield Times on 12 April 1918:
Mrs Findlow, 13 Jackson St, Macclesfield, has received word that her son, Pte Alfred Findlow, Cheshire Regt. was killed in France on March 24th. He was thirty-three years of age and single and was formerly employed as a baker by Mr C Palin, Park Lane. Pte Findlow attended London Road Branch School in boyhood, and was also connected with St George's Church. He had been in the Army over two years and spent nineteen months in France. His brother, Gunner Herbert, Royal Field Artillery, was recently gassed and is now at Ripon. Another brother, Pte Sam, is in Italy.
COMMEMORATION
Private Alfred Finlow is commemorated is buried in the region of Memorial Ref. III. B. 18. of the Delsaux Farm Cemetery. His mother asked for the inscription THEIR GLORY SHALL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT to be added to his headstone.
In Macclesfield, Private Alfred Finlow is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall, St Michael's Church and St George's Church war memorials.
NOTES
Brother of Herbert, who served as 159470 Gunner with the Royal Field Artillery, was gassed in January 1918 and spent four months in hospital at Ripon; and Sam, who served in Italy as a private.
SOURCES
GRO (England & Wales) Index: Births, Deaths
Census (England & Wales): 1891, 1901, 1911
WWI British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects
WWI British Army Service Records
WWI British Army Medal Rolls Index Cards
Kelly's Directory of Cheshire, 1902
WWI Britain Absent Voters’ Lists (Find My Past)
Lives of the First World War website
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Macclesfield Times: 12 April 1918
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.