Alfred's Story.
Alfred Alderwood was born in Tranmere, Birkenhead, in 1892, the son of George Henry Alderwood and Mary Alderwood. His father had been born in Yardley, Worcesershire, in 1862, and his mother had been born in Gasserton, Wigton, Scotland, in 1860. They married in 1883, and went on to have 5 children, but 1 of these died. In 1911, George was a Sorting Postman for the Liverpool Post Office, and was living at 44, Seymour Street, Birkenhead, with his wife, and 4 surviving children: May Alderwood (born in 1886); Henry Alderwood (born in 1888); Alfred Alderwood (born in 1892); and Samuel Alderwood (born in 1896). Also living with them was George’s mother-in-law, Eliza McCulloch (born in Ballykeel, County Down, Ireland, in 1831), and a boarder, Isabella McCreadie born in Mochram, Wigton, Scotland, in 1846). Alfred Alderwood was educated at Tranmere Higher Grade School, and later at the Higher Elementary School, Conway Street, Birkenhead. He was a keen footballer, playing for the Birkenhead Parish Church Football Club, and had also been connected to St. Mary’s Church, taking a prominent part in the children’s services. His eldest brother, Henry, was employed as an Insurance Clerk with the British & Foreign Insurance Company, whilst Alfred took up employment as an Invoice Clerk at Messrs. Lever Brothers, Port Sunlight. The youngest son, Samuel, was still at school.
On 20th August 1914, Alfred Alderwood enlisted into the 1st/4th Bn Cheshire Regiment, and trained with this battalion at Shrewsbury, Northampton, Cambridge, and Bedford, before sailing from Devonport for Alexandria, on board the S.S. Euripides, on 16th July 1915. Private Alderwood gained promotion on appointment to the rank of Lance Corporal, and landed with the 1st/4th Bn Cheshire Regiment, at “C” Beach, Suvla, Gallipoli, on 8th August 1915. On 20th August 1915, he wrote a letter to his father, informing him that he was in the best of spirits, and on the following day was killed in action near Anafarta Sagir. George Alderwood received a telegram informing him that his son had been killed in action exactly a month after his death, on Tuesday, 21st September 1915. Private Alderwood’s body was never recovered and identified from the battlefield, and is therefore commemorated on Panel’s 75-77, The Cape Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Alfred Alderwood’s medal entitlement consisted on Memorial Plaque, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.
He is commemorated on the Higher Elementary School war memorial (now missing), the Port Sunlight war memorial, and in the Port Sunlight Golden Book.
Alfred Alderwood’s youngest brother, Samuel Alderwood, died at a hospital in Plymouth, on 3rd February 1917, whilst he was working with the 13th (Works) Bn Devonshire Regiment.
Family application form requesting Alfred to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.
Birkenhead News 25 September 1917.
On 20th August 1914, Alfred Alderwood enlisted into the 1st/4th Bn Cheshire Regiment, and trained with this battalion at Shrewsbury, Northampton, Cambridge, and Bedford, before sailing from Devonport for Alexandria, on board the S.S. Euripides, on 16th July 1915. Private Alderwood gained promotion on appointment to the rank of Lance Corporal, and landed with the 1st/4th Bn Cheshire Regiment, at “C” Beach, Suvla, Gallipoli, on 8th August 1915. On 20th August 1915, he wrote a letter to his father, informing him that he was in the best of spirits, and on the following day was killed in action near Anafarta Sagir. George Alderwood received a telegram informing him that his son had been killed in action exactly a month after his death, on Tuesday, 21st September 1915. Private Alderwood’s body was never recovered and identified from the battlefield, and is therefore commemorated on Panel’s 75-77, The Cape Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Alfred Alderwood’s medal entitlement consisted on Memorial Plaque, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.
He is commemorated on the Higher Elementary School war memorial (now missing), the Port Sunlight war memorial, and in the Port Sunlight Golden Book.
Alfred Alderwood’s youngest brother, Samuel Alderwood, died at a hospital in Plymouth, on 3rd February 1917, whilst he was working with the 13th (Works) Bn Devonshire Regiment.
Family application form requesting Alfred to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.
Birkenhead News 25 September 1917.
Alfred Alderwood was born in Tranmere, Birkenhead, in 1892, the son of George Henry Alderwood and Mary Alderwood. His father had been born in Yardley, Worcesershire, in 1862, and his mother had been born in Gasserton, Wigton, Scotland, in 1860. They married in 1883, and went on to have 5 children, but 1 of these died. In 1911, George was a Sorting Postman for the Liverpool Post Office, and was living at 44, Seymour Street, Birkenhead, with his wife, and 4 surviving children: May Alderwood (born in 1886); Henry Alderwood (born in 1888); Alfred Alderwood (born in 1892); and Samuel Alderwood (born in 1896). Also living with them was George’s mother-in-law, Eliza McCulloch (born in Ballykeel, County Down, Ireland, in 1831), and a boarder, Isabella McCreadie born in Mochram, Wigton, Scotland, in 1846). Alfred Alderwood was educated at Tranmere Higher Grade School, and later at the Higher Elementary School, Conway Street, Birkenhead. He was a keen footballer, playing for the Birkenhead Parish Church Football Club, and had also been connected to St. Mary’s Church, taking a prominent part in the children’s services. His eldest brother, Henry, was employed as an Insurance Clerk with the British & Foreign Insurance Company, whilst Alfred took up employment as an Invoice Clerk at Messrs. Lever Brothers, Port Sunlight. The youngest son, Samuel, was still at school.
On 20th August 1914, Alfred Alderwood enlisted into the 1st/4th Bn Cheshire Regiment, and trained with this battalion at Shrewsbury, Northampton, Cambridge, and Bedford, before sailing from Devonport for Alexandria, on board the S.S. Euripides, on 16th July 1915. Private Alderwood gained promotion on appointment to the rank of Lance Corporal, and landed with the 1st/4th Bn Cheshire Regiment, at “C” Beach, Suvla, Gallipoli, on 8th August 1915. On 20th August 1915, he wrote a letter to his father, informing him that he was in the best of spirits, and on the following day was killed in action near Anafarta Sagir. George Alderwood received a telegram informing him that his son had been killed in action exactly a month after his death, on Tuesday, 21st September 1915. Private Alderwood’s body was never recovered and identified from the battlefield, and is therefore commemorated on Panel’s 75-77, The Cape Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Alfred Alderwood’s medal entitlement consisted on Memorial Plaque, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. He is commemorated on the Higher Elementary School war memorial (now missing), the Port Sunlight war memorial, and in the Port Sunlight Golden Book.
Alfred Alderwood’s youngest brother, Samuel Alderwood, died at a hospital in Plymouth, on 3rd February 1917, whilst he was working with the 13th (Works) Bn Devonshire Regiment.
Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.
TRANMERE PATRIOT KILLED.
On 20th August 1914, Alfred Alderwood enlisted into the 1st/4th Bn Cheshire Regiment, and trained with this battalion at Shrewsbury, Northampton, Cambridge, and Bedford, before sailing from Devonport for Alexandria, on board the S.S. Euripides, on 16th July 1915. Private Alderwood gained promotion on appointment to the rank of Lance Corporal, and landed with the 1st/4th Bn Cheshire Regiment, at “C” Beach, Suvla, Gallipoli, on 8th August 1915. On 20th August 1915, he wrote a letter to his father, informing him that he was in the best of spirits, and on the following day was killed in action near Anafarta Sagir. George Alderwood received a telegram informing him that his son had been killed in action exactly a month after his death, on Tuesday, 21st September 1915. Private Alderwood’s body was never recovered and identified from the battlefield, and is therefore commemorated on Panel’s 75-77, The Cape Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
Alfred Alderwood’s medal entitlement consisted on Memorial Plaque, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal. He is commemorated on the Higher Elementary School war memorial (now missing), the Port Sunlight war memorial, and in the Port Sunlight Golden Book.
Alfred Alderwood’s youngest brother, Samuel Alderwood, died at a hospital in Plymouth, on 3rd February 1917, whilst he was working with the 13th (Works) Bn Devonshire Regiment.
Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.
TRANMERE PATRIOT KILLED.
Formerly Lever Bros. Employee
News of the death in action of Lance-Corporal Alfred Alderwood, of the 1st/4th Cheshire Regiment, has been received by Mr. George H. Alderwood, who resides at 44 Seymour Street, Higher Tranmere. Lance-Corporal Alderwood, who was 23 years of age, was the second son, and enlisted soon after the outbreak of war. He took part in the landing at Suvla Bay and the subsequent fighting. Only one letter had been received from him dated ?? August (exact date illegible), and then he appeared to be in the best of spirits. In the official telegram conveying the sad news, which was received on the 21st inst., it states that the young Alderwood was killed on the August 21st, the day after the letter was written. Prior to enlisting he was in the office of Messrs. Lever Bros., Port Sunlight, and is one of the numerous employees who have laid down their lives for the old country. He was educated at the Tranmere Higher Grade School, and later at the Higher Elementary School, where he was held in high esteem by both masters and boys. Lance-Corporal Alderwood took a keen interest in athletics, and was a playing member of the Birkenhead Parish Church F.C. for two years. He was connected with St. Mary’s Church, and took a prominent part in the children’s services.
Newspaper article by Chris Booth
Newspaper article by Chris Booth