Alfred's Story.
Birkenhead News 21 April 1915BIRKENHEAD TERRITORIAL KILLED.
“A Good and Brave Soldier.”
AN OFFICER’S TRIBUTE.
We deeply regret to announce the death of a Birkenhead Territorial, Pte. Alfred Manley, who was killed in action on the 10th inst. His parents, who reside at 162, Market Street, Birkenhead, received the sad intimation of his death in a letter from his officer, Lieut. A. Hayton Cowap. He wrote:- “It is with the deepest regret that I write this letter, and no words of mine can suitable express my deep sorrow for you in the loss you have sustained by the death of your son. He was killed while on duty in the trenches on the 10th inst., and mercifully died a painless death. Although he had only been in my section for about a fortnight, I had time to find out that he was a really good and brave soldier, and he had the great gift of being always cheerful and willing, both on and off duty. Lieut. E. Bairstow, who lately commanded him, thoroughly endorses the above, and wishes to join me in expressing our united sorrow for you.”
Mr. Manley, the father, has also received a letter from Pte. W. W. Platt, of the 5th Batt. Of the Cheshires, who writes:- “I deeply regret the death of Alf. I do not think a section of men could have been more sorry to have lost such a good comrade …. He was the only mate I had here, and we stuck together as much as ever we could. He was a good soldier and feared nothing. I was by his side when he was hit; he died almost immediately and said nothing. We were together all the night long – that was Friday night, April 9th, and on the Saturday morning of the 10th, about 9 O’clock, he got killed. He got every attention but it was of no use. I attended his funeral, and all our men followed. It was a very nice grave and in a nice place, beside some more men and an officer. I am sorry I cannot tell you the name of the place. Some chaps and myself got some flowers and put on his grave. A minister read a very nice service, and most of the men cried when they laid him to rest. If I am here much longer I will put some more flowers on his grave.”
Pte. Manley, who was only 21 years of age, was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Manley, of the above address. He joined the 4th Cheshires on the outbreak of war, but volunteered for active service with the 5th. He went out to France on his 21st birthday, the 14th February. In civil life he was a tailor employed by Mr. Newton, Westbourne Road, at which establishment he served his apprenticeship.
Alfred's grave at the Ramparts Cemetery, Lille Gate, Ypres.
Photo by Chris