This page is dedicated to ALDERSONs world-wide who died in World War 1. It has a separate entry for each ALDERSON – military or civilian – we know died in WW1. If you know of any others please let us know. If you can add or correct any information in any of the entries please let us know. If you are related to any of these ALDERSONs we would like to hear from you.
Company Serjeant Major 204409
12th/13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers
Born: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland
Married: 4th Qr 1906 to Unnamed; Registered in Newcastle on Tyne
Enlisted: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland
Died: 28-Aug-1918
Buried: Warlencourt British Cemetery, IV. D., Pas de Calais, Fr
Captain
1st Yorkshire Light Infantry
Attached from The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regt.)
Son of Mary ALDERSON, of "Weeford," River, Dover, and the late Rev. E. A.
ALDERSON (Chaplain to the Forces, 1st Cl.)
Born: 4th Qr 1883, Dover R.D.
Died: 11-Mar-1918 drowned
Buried: Struma Military Cemetery, VI. F. II., Greece
Private 2235
Northumberland Fusiliers, 1st Battalion
Son of Mary Jane ALDERSON
Grandson of Henry ALDERSON and Margaret BOYD
Born: 1890, Lancaster, Lancashire
Enlisted: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland
Died: 15-Nov-1914 Killed in Action
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 8 and 12, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
First Battle of Ypres, 15th November 1914: Positioned in Herenthage Woods at
Herenthage Chateau, when the enemy attacked and took Herenthage Chateau stables.
A party of 50 men under CSM Gilborn counter-attacked and regained the position.
Headquarters, W and Y Companies were relieved and withdrew. X and Y Companies
relieved on the 16th. War Diary records casualties for November as 366 killed,
wounded or missing.
Second Lieutenant
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry 2/5th Battalion
Son of Frederick Henry ALDERSON & Eliza WILLETT
Born: 3rd Qr 1880 Fulham R.D.
Died: 19-Oct-1916 Killed in Action
Buried: Branksome Park (All Saints) Churchyard, Dorset, England
Mention must be made of Alex George Jermyn Alderson, who was formerly a Master
at Sherbourne. He was unfortunately killed in England during bombing practice
with the Machine Gun Corps on the 19th October 1916. Alderson was at Oxford, and
took Holy Orders, before proceeding to Sherbourne.
Private 27122
Cheshire Regiment 16th Battalion (Bantam Battalion)
Son of John Thomas ALDERSON and Martha Ann DENNIS
Born: Waterfoot, Lancashire
Elisted: Bacup, Lancashire
Died: 22-Oct-1917 Died of Wounds
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 61 to 63, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
3rd Battle of Ypres - 1st Passchendaele: 105 Brigade attacked with the 16th
Cheshires and the 14th Gloucestershires; the 15th Sherwood Forresters were in
support with the 15th Cheshires in reserve. The right of the 16th Cheshires went
well and gained its objective, Marechal Farm, with few problems. However, the
centre and left were help up by fire from a blockhouse in the wood, 500 yards
north-west of Colombo House. The line was consolidated at this point. At 4:39pm
the Germans launched a counter-attack against the left of the 16th Cheshires and
broke through. The surviving Cheshires fell back 100 yards, and then back to
their original line. 16th Cheshires lost 9 officers and 327 men during the day
long struggle to take pill-boxes and repulse counter-attacks.
Lieutenant
Royal Engineers, 87th Field Company
Son of George Beeton ALDERSON, of Ramleh, Alexandria, Egypt, and the late Mrs.
ALDERSON
Husband of Adele M. CHAMBERS, of Elm Leaze, Stratton, Cirencester
Died: 22-Mar-1916 Killed in Action aged 30
Buried: Vermelles British Cemetery, II. M. 15, Pas de Calais, France
Private 17160
Durham Light Infantry, 12th Service Battalion
Son of Margaret ALDERSON
Born: Low Worsall, Stockton, Co. Durham
Enlisted: West Hartlepool, Co. Durham
Died: 19-Jul-1916 Died of Wounds
Buried: Heilly Station Cemetery, II. D. 30, Mericourt-L'Abbe, Somme, France
Second Battle Of Ypres
Private 10286
Princess Victoria's Royal Irish Fusiliers, 1st Battalion
Son of Edward and Susannah ALDERSON, of 5, Lady Pit Cottages, Sunny Hill,
Whitehaven, Cumberland
Born: Whitehaven, Cumberland
Enlisted: Whitehaven, Cumberland
Died: 1-Jul-1916 Killed in Action aged 22
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15 A, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme; Second Battle Of Ypres, Battle of Albert. 1-13 Jul 1916,
including the capture of Montauban, Mametz, Fricourt, Contalmaison and La
Boisselle.The 1st Battalion fought at Le Chateau and shared in the battle of
Maine and advance to the Aisne. It was involved in the capture of Armentieres
and in the second battle of Ypres 1915, where it suffered two of the earliest
gas attacks in the war. The Battalion took part in the battle of the Somme 1916
and the battle of Arras 1917. Also in 1917 the Battalion became part of the 36th
Ulster Division, fighting with distinction in the battle of Cambrai. As a result
of the German offensive in March 1918, the Battalion suffered heavily and was
reformed into one company attached for a time to the 9th Battalion. When it was
restored to strength, it took part in the third battle of Ypres 1918. Private
Robert Morrow of the 1st Battalion was awarded the Victoria Cross for
conspicuous bravery near Messines 12th April 1915. During the war 1,058 men died
while serving with the 1st Battalion
Major
Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse
Son of Charles Sibbald ALDERSON and Emily Annie BROWN, of Wyton Lodge, Hessle,
Yorkshire
Born: 22 Oct 1881 Wakefield R.D.
Died: 2-Sep-1917 aged 35
Buried: St. Pol-sur-Ternoise, G. 25, France
Memorial: Etton & Holme on the Wolds, Yorkshire
Sacred to the memory of / Emily Annie Alderson / entered into rest 10th Feb 1934
/ aged 79 years / Also her son / Bernard Henry Alderson / Major 34th Poona Horse
/ who died on active service in France on 2nd Sept 1917 / and was buried at St.
Pol / aged 35 years / And her husband / Charles Sibbald Alderson / entered into
rest 21 st March 1937 / aged 82 years / Till the day breraks and the shadows
flee away.
3rd Battle of Ypres - 1st Passchendaele
The combined strength of the Indian Corps was little more than a British
Infantry Division. Thus, in the action of Festubert which opened on November 21,
not only was the Indian Corps very weak, considering the strength of the attack
now made upon it, but when this attack actually developed, on the nights of
November 22 - 23 and 23 - 24, the relief of the Meerut Division by the Lahore
Division was in progress. On the 23rd the right centre of the Indian Corps was
heavily attacked by the German 29th Division, and three of the defending
battalions were driven from their trenches, which for a length of 800 yards,
were occupied by the enemy.
In the meantime the two other squadrons of the regiment - C and D under Captain
Grimshaw, who had with him Captain Alderson and Lieutenant de Pass - had also
moved up to Festubert, and the following extracts from Captain Grimshaw's diary
tell the story of their experiences :
24th: 'At dusk I sent for Alderson with C squadron and he arrived about 8 pm and
his men were a welcome support. He also brought some blankets, braziers, and
charcoal, also rations, so we were a little less uncomfortable; while in reply
to my request they sent me up a lot of bombs and a sack full of gun-cotton slabs
and fuses.
Lance Corporal 4/10201
Durham Light Infantry 2nd DLI
(2nd Bombay Europeans and 106th Light Infantry)
Born: 1893 Spennymoor, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Durham, Co. Durham
Died: 17-Aug-1916 Killed in Action
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 14 A and 15 C, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme; Second Battle Of Ypres
Private 34839
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 6th (Service) Battalion
Formerly 5447 Yorkshire Regiment
Son of John ALDERSON & Martha DAY
Brother of William ALDERSON (also died in WW1)
Born: Skeeby, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Richmond, Yorkshire
Died: 24-Aug-1917 Died of Wounds
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial , Panel 108 to 111, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium
3rd Battle of Ypres - 1st Passchendaele, Inverness Copse, At 4am a heavy German
barrage fell on Inverness Copse and north as far as Glencorse Wood. At 4:30am
the German infantry attacked; south of Glencorse Wood the attack was with
bombers and flame-throwers. The forward posts were held by companies of the 6th
Kings' Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, which were forced back, as were the 6th
Cornwalls to their start line of the 22nd August.
Private 100381
Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regt.), 31st Battalion
Son of Charles and Sarah ALDERSON
Born: 1882 Dewsbury R.D.
Died: 25-Sep-1916
Buried: Sunken Road Cemetery, II. B., Contalmaison, Somme, France
See AFHS 56/11
Rifleman 267065
West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), 8th Battalion
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Squire ALDERSON, of 48, Bawn Lane, Old Farnley, Leeds,
Yorkshire
Born: 1895 Leeds, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Leeds, Yorkshire
Died: 20-Jul-1918 Killed in Action aged 23
Buried: Marfaux British Cemetery, X. J. 10, Marne, France
Second Battle of Marne
Private 5714
Lancers (The Queen's) 16th Battalion
Son of Thomas ALDERSON & Margaret WOODEND, of 76, Beaconsfield St., Greenbank,
Darlington, Co. Durham
Born: 1891 St. John's, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Newmarket
Died: 21-Feb-1915 Killed in Action aged 23
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 5, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Air Mechanic 3rd Class 228930
Royal Air Force
Formerly Royal Naval Air Service
Son of George Thomas ALDERSON & Sarah Ann FAWCETT
Husband of Eliza PHELPS, of 11 Arthington Street, Entwistle Road, Rochdale,
Lancashire
Born: 1885 Caistor R.D.
Died: 3-Nov-1918 aged 32
Memorial: UK Memorial, London, England
Private 27991
King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), 1st/4th Battalion
Son of George ALDERSON and Hannah SPENCER, of 12, Durham St., West Hartlepool
Brother of James William ALDERSON (Also died in WW1)
Born: 1885 West Hartlepool
Enlisted: West Hartlepool
Died: 16-Sep-1917 Killed in Action
Buried: Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, IX. G. 3, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium
3rd Battle of Ypres - 1st Passchendaele
SS63 lance corporal 9257
2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Born: 1882, Lanchester, Durham; Youngest son of Joseph & Hannah of Durham
Enlisted: Sunderland, Co Durham
Died:20-Aug-1915 - He was wounded at Hooge
near Ypres and died in the 13th General Hospital, Boulogne aged 33
Buried: Eastern Cemetery, France, VIII. B. 73, Boulogne, Pas de Calais, France
Apprenticed to the Durham firm of
upholsterers Ruddock and Fletch before joining the army
Private 2955A
Australian Infantry, 20th Battalion
Served as Harold PALSER
Henry Ward ALDERSON & Phoebe Jane BENTLEY
Born: 1898 Woonona, New South Wales, Australia
Enlisted: Ashfield, New South Wales, Australia
Died: 3-May-1917
Memorial: Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Somme, France
Ashfield Bowling Club Roll of Honour flanked by an Australian flag and the Union
Jack. Names of members' sons included in the Roll: H. Alderson, F.S. Alderson,
C.S. Alderson (killed); FS is Frank Sydney and H is Henry both brothers of
Charles Stanley
Private 26/17
Northumberland Fusiliers, 26th (3rd Tyneside Irish) Battalion
B Company
Son of Rebecca ALDERSON
Grandson of Thompson & Ellen ALDERSON
Husband of Mary MADDISON, of 13, Gardiner Crescent, Pelton Fell, Co. Durham
Born: Topcliffe, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumbarland
Died: 1-Jul-1916 Killed in Action aged 38
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial , Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme; Battle Of Albert, 1-13 July 1916, The Tyneside Irish
supported the attack, setting out from the Tara-Usna line and advanced, in the
straight lines prescribed, down the gentle slope of the open hillside and across
the valley floor, losing men all the way. On the left, before the village they
were stopped like all the rest, but they managed to adhere to the plan and
passed through the few successful remnants of the initial wave to press on into
the German lines. Three thousand man had set off, but by the end of the day the
Tynside Irish had been reduced to less than fifty men still capable of fighting.
(OTT p139-140); The 21st and 22nd Northumberland Fusiliers (102 Brigade) and
26th Northumberland Fusiliers (103 Brigade) tried to pass south of La Boiselle
and north of Lochnagar. They started the moment the mine was fired, crossing no
man's land and reaching the trench of the Schwaben Hohe, they continued down the
west side of Sausage Valley and crossed both Kaufmanngraben and Alte
Jugersttrasse. Bombers were sent out to La Boiselle but could not make progress.
Machine-gun fire from La Boiselle started to cause heavy casualties, but
Quergraben III was reached in places and a few men were reported in Bailiff
Wood. A German counter-attack forced the defenders back to Kaufmanngraben where
they consolidated. (The Somme p25)
Canadian civilian
Son of John William ALDERSON & Edith JONES
John William also died in WW1
Died: 7-Feb-1917 aged 3
Burial: Lost at sea
Passenger, with his father, on S.S. California, Anchor Line, when it was
torpedoed and sunk by submarine without warning. 43 killed and missing.
Private 15/1787
West Yorkshire Regt. (Prince of Wales's Own), 1st Battalion
Son of John Edwin ALDERSON and Hester LAVERACK, of 6, Bank View, Chapel Allerton,
Leeds, Yorkshire
Born: 30 Aug 1897 Leeds R.D.
Enlisted: Closterdale
Died: 12-Oct-1916 Killed in Action aged 19
Buried: Bancourt British Cemetery, VIII. C. 4, France
Memorial: St Laurance, Scalby, Yorkshire
In loving memory of John Edwin Alderson / died 2nd May 1956 / aged 88 / Also his
wife Hester Ann / died 31st May 1957 / aged 87 / and their son / Cyril Laverack
/ killed in action 13th Oct 1916 / aged 19
Battle of the Somme: Battle Of Ancre Heights, The 1st West Yorks failed in their
effort on Mild Trench and the remaining part of Cloudy Trench.
Private 2628
Northumberland Fusiliers, 1st/5th Battalion
Son of Reuben ALDERSON & Martha BROWN
Born: 1880 Shildon, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland
Died: 27-Jun-1916 Died of Wounds
Buried: Communal Cemetery Extension, II. E. 147, Bailleul, Nord, France
Private 2066
King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), 1st/5th Battalion
Son of Joseph Edmund ALDERSON & Alice BURROWS, of East View, Hornby, Lancashire
Born: 1885 Hornby, Lancashire
Enlisted: Lancaster
Died: 18-Sep-1916 Killed in Action aged 21
Buried: Guards' Cemetery , IV. P. 10, Lesboeufs, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme; Second Battle Of Ypres
Private 45916
Lancashire Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion
Son of Thomas Edward ALDERSON and Elizabeth Ann WADDINGTON, of 23, Myerscough
Avenue, St. Anne's-on-Sea, Lancashire
Born: 1899 Salford R.D.
Died: 4-May-1918 Killed in Action aged 18
Memorial: Loos Memorial, Panel 45 and 46, France.
Private 45916
Lancashire Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion
Son of Thomas Edward ALDERSON and Elizabeth Ann WADDINGTON, of 23, Myerscough
Avenue, St. Anne's-on-Sea, Lancashire
Born: 1899 Salford R.D.
Died: 4-May-1918 Killed in Action aged 18
Memorial: Loos Memorial, Panel 45 and 46, France.
Lance Serjeant 535
2nd Cavalry, Hussars
Son of Mary Ann ALDERSON, of 11, Egerton Rd., Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, and the
late Jonathan ALDERSON
Born: 1885 Sevenoaks, Kent
Enlisted: Shorncliffe, Kent
Died: Died of Wounds, 30-Oct-1917, Died of Wounds aged 29
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 5, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Memorial: Hythe War Memorial
25th Hussars?
Private 205660
East Yorkshire Regiment, 7th Battalion
Son of David ALDERSON & Maria Agnes HATTERSLEY, of 69, Gladstone St.,
Middlesbrough, Yorkshire
Born: 1898 New Shildon, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Middlesbrough, Yorkshire
Died: 21-Mar-1918 Killed in Action aged 20
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Bay 4 and 5, Pas de Calais, France
German Operation Michael
Private 350787
Durham Light Infantry, 1st/7th Battalion
Husband of Margaret GILLESPIE of 41, Coronation St., North Shields,
Northumberland
Born: 1891 South Shields, Co. Durham
Enlisted: South Shields, Co. Durham
Died: 11-Apr-1918 Killed in Action aged 27
Memorial: Ploegsteert Memorial, Panel 8 and 9, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut,
Belgium
German Operation Georgette
Private 51868
The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
24th (Service) Battalion (2nd Sportsman's)
Formerly 10/56206 TR Battalion
Married Q2 1906 Ecclesall Bierlow R.D.
Born: 1880 Dore Sheffield, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Edmonton
Died: 21-Mar-1918 Killed in Action
Buried: Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, X. E. 24, Manancourt, Somme,
France
The Battle of St Quentin: Exceptionally heavy German shellfire hit all areas of
British front occupied by Fifth Army, most of the front of Third Army, and some
of the front of First Army, at 4.40am. It was concentrated on British artillery
and machine-gun positions, headquarters, telephone exchanges, railways and other
important centres of communications. German infantry began to attack at 9.40am.
New tactics mean that infantry continue to probe forward through gaps while
follow-up units besiege and engage British posts and defended villages. Many of
these only fell once entirely surrounded, outflanked and hopeless.
Private 41824
East Yorkshire Regiment, 1st Battalion
Formerly 63984 85th Territorial Regiment
Son of Israel ALDERSON and Hannah Sarah DENTON, of 5, Railway Cottages, Ferry
Hill Station, Co. Durham
Born: 1899 Sedgefield, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Ferryhill, Co. Durham
Died: 21-Jun-1918 aged 19
Buried: Sissonne British Cemetery, O. 19, Aisne, France
German Operation Blucher-Yorke
Serjeant 4095
Royal Fusiliers
24th (Service) Battalion (2nd Sportsman's)
Son of Benjamin ALDERSON and Sophia HOLROYD
Born: 1889 Halifax, Yorkshire
Enlisted: London
Died: 30-Apr-1917 Killed in Action
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Bay 3, Pas de Calais, France
Sergeant 21110
Canadian Light Infantry, Princess Patricia's (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
Adopted son of Christopher & Emily ALDERSON of Shildon, Co. Durham
Born: 1888 Carlile, Northumberland
Died: 2-Jun-1916
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 10, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Memorial: Shildon War Memorial
4 years in 2nd DLI
See AFHS 56/11 & Attestation paper
Private 32730
York and Lancaster Regiment, 8th (Service) Battalion, "D" Company
Formerly 28770 West Riding Regiment
Son of Samuel and Ann ALDERSON, of 9, Walker St., Northgate, Cleckheaton,
Yorkshire
Husband of Elizabeth Ann ALDERSON, of 24, Moor Bottom, Cleckheaton, Yorkshire
Born: 1883 Cleckheaton, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Cleckheaton, Yorkshire
Died: 7-Jun-1917 Killed in Action aged 34
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 36 and 55, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Private L/5529
Duke of Cambridge's Own Middlesex Regiment, 1st Battalion
Son of Frank & Louisa Caroline ALDERSON
Born: 1878 Pimlico, Middlesex
Enlisted: Hounslow
Died: 31-Oct-1914 Killed in Action
Buried: Le Trou Aid Post Cemetery , E. 35, Fleurbaix, Pas de Calais, France
This peacetime Division of the army was quartered in Ireland and England at the
outbreak of war, and was ordered to concentrate near Cambridge. By early
September it was fully equipped and trained. On the 10 September 1914, it landed
at St Nazaire and proceeded to the Western Front, where it remained throughout
the war. The Division arrived in time to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF on the
Aisne, before the whole army was moved north into Flanders. By 15th October the
last troops left the Aisne, and joined those who had moved earlier, in Flanders.
First Battle of Ypres, 30th October 1914: Positions near Bas Maisnil - held
trenches in front of La Boutillerie. Enemy broke through between C & D
Companies. B Company made a successful counterattack. B Company almost ceased to
exist - 16 killed & 29 wounded.
Private 5714
Lancers (The Queen's) 16th Battalion
Son of Thomas ALDERSON & Margaret WOODEND, of 76, Beaconsfield St., Greenbank,
Darlington, Co. Durham
Born: 1891 St. John's, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Newmarket
Died: 21-Feb-1915 Killed in Action aged 23
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 5, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Gunner 174988
Royal Field Artillery, 232nd Brigade., "D" Battery
Son of James & Minnie Emily ALDERSON
Born: 1898 Alvaston Derbyshire
Enlisted: Burton On Trent, Staffordshire
Died: 9-Sep-1917 Died of Wounds at home
Buried: Burton-Upon-Trent Cemetery, Staffordshire
Rifleman 2753
West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), 1st/7th Battalion, Leeds Rifles
Enlisted: Leeds, Yorkshire
Died: 18-Dec-1915 Killed in Action
Buried: Essex Farm Cemetery, I. D. 6, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, France
Private 56095
Loyal North Lancs Regiment, 3rd battalion
Son of James ALDERSON
Born: 1897 Oakbank, Westmorland
Died: 19-Sep-19 aged 22 Died of Wounds
Memorial: Window in St Stephen, South Stainmore, Westmorland
Private 148386
Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment), 78th Battalion
Born 1879 Pancras R.D.
Died: 25-Nov-1916
Buried: Etretat Churchyard, II. A. 11, Seine-Maritime, France
See AFHS 56/12
Gunner 5023
Royal Field Artillery, 61st Brigade, "A" Battery
Son of John Ralph ALDERSON and Hannah FEATHERSTONE, of 75, Stafford Rd., Swinton,
Manchester, Lancashire
Brother of John Ralph ALDERSON (also died in WW1)
Born: 1892 Barton on Irwell R.D.
Enlisted: Manchester, Lancashire
Died: 25-Oct-1916 Died of Wounds aged 26
Buried: Guards' Cemetery , VII. P. 6, Lesboeufs, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme; Second Battle Of Ypres.
Private 30150
Border Regiment, 6th (Service) Battalion
Son of George and Margaret Ann ALDERSON, of Calva House, Stainmore, Brough,
Westmorland
Born: 1896 Stainmore, Westmorland
Enlisted: Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland
Died: 7-Oct-1917 Died of Wounds aged 21
Buried: Mendinghem Military Cemetery, VI. C. 46, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen,
France
Memorial: Window at St Stephen South Stainmore, Westmorland
3rd Battle of Ypres - 1st Passchendaele
Westvleteren is a village and commune in the Province of West Flanders, near the
French frontier. Dozinghem Military Cemetery is south of the village, and 8 km
from Poperinghe. Westvleteren was outside the front held by British troops in
Belgium during the war, and the Cemetery is its one historical link with the
British forces. In July 1917, at the beginning of the British offensive of Third
Ypres, groups of Casualty Clearing Stations (CCS) were placed in readiness at
three positions called by the troops Mendinghem, Dozinghem and Bandaghem.
Private 16694
Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion
Husband of Mrs. Hannah SIMPSON (formerly ALDERSON), of 10, Galt St., Thornley,
Co. Durham
Born: 1894 South Shields, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland
Died: 24-May-1915 Killed in Action aged 21
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 44 and 46, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Second Battle Of Ypres: St Julien, April - May 1915, The 2nd Battalion of the
Royal Dublin Fusiliers suffered near annihilation during the second battle of
Ypres on the 24th of May 1915. On May 24th, 1915, around 2.45am, the Germans
launched a poison gas attack. By 9:30 pm, out of a battalion strength of 666
men, all that remained when the battalion ‘retired’ was one officer and twenty
other ranks 'retired' to headquarters. For the record, in just eighteen and
three quarter hours, the Dublin Fusiliers had suffered a loss of 645 men who
were blown to bits, gassed, or driven insane by the effects of poisonous gas. In
the years that followed the ending of the war, many of those who did survive the
attack and suffered a gas wound, would die a very slow and painful death from
weakened lungs. The German gas attack in the early hours of May 24, was
described as being about three miles long and forty feet deep. The Allied troops
in the trenches had little hope of escape. The 2nd Battalion of the Royal Dublin
Fusiliers were serving at the front that night. The gas bleached the grass,
blighted the trees and left a 'broad scar of destruction in its wake'. Outside
the city of Ypres on the road to Menin, stands the majestic Menin Gate memorial.
Engraved on that memorial are 143 names of Dublin Fusiliers belonging to the 2nd
Battalion who died on the 24th of May 1915.
Private 102363
Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment), 1st Battalion
Formerly 6778 5th Battalion King's Own Liverpool Regiment
Son of James ALDERSON & Elizabeth Emma PARKER
Born: 26 Jan 1894 Ancoats, Manchester, Lancashire
Enlisted: Newton Heath, Manchester, Lancashire
Died: 28-Aug-1918 Killed in Action
Buried: Orchard Dump Cemetery, V. C. 2, Arleux-En-Gohelle, Pas de Calais, France
Lance Corporal 12231
Durham Light Infantry,
10th DLI (Service)
Husband of Ethel ALDERSON, of 10, Stephenson St., Dunston-on-Tyne, Co. Durham
Born: 1884 Easington, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Gateshead, Co. Durham
Died: 15-Oct-1915 Died of Wounds aged 31
Buried: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, I. B. 14A, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium
Awarded Albert Medal-1st class for bravery gazetted 19 May 1916. Storing bombs
in a farmhouse when one fell to ground triggering the firing sequence. Knowing
the bomb would explode in 4 seconds, and knowing that throwing it from the
window would endanger men outside, he carried it to the door where it exploded
inflicting fatal injuries on himself, but saving the lives of others in the
room.
See AFHS 56/1, 44/13 & London Gazette
Private 205766
Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd Garrison Battalion
Formerly 20405 The Buffs
Enlisted: Brighton, Sussex
Died: 27-Jul-1917
Private 95208
Durham Light Infantry 13th DLI (Service) Battalion
Son of John William ALDERSON and Elizabeth Ann URWIN, of 6, Rough Lea Colliery,
Hunwick, Willington, Co. Durham
Born: 1898 Hunwick, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham
Died: 26-Oct-1918 Killed in Action aged 20
Buried: Pommereuil British Cemetery, B. 40, Nord, France
Private 35240
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 7th (Service) Battalion
Formerly 2924 Durham Light Infantry
Son of James ALDERSON, of 29, Garbutt St., Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham
Born: 1889 Stockton R.D.
Enlisted: Stockton, Co. Durham
Died: 4-Apr-1918 Killed in Action aged 28
Memorial: Pozieres Memorial, Panel 59 and 60, Somme, France
German Operation Michael
Driver 700348
Royal Field Artillery, 210th Brigade., "B" Battery
Son of George and Annie ALDERSON, of 67, Fountain St., Accrington
Born: 1898 Ruabon, Denbieghshire
Enlisted: Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire
Died: 23-Jan-1918 aged 19
Buried: Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, IV. F. 46, Pas de Calais,
France
Private 93139
Durham Light Infantry, 2nd DLI
(2nd Bombay Europeans and 106th Light Infantry)
Formerly 3/21331 Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment ]
Son of William ALDERSON and Catherine BETTERIDGE
Born: 1882 Barnsley, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Barnsley, Yorkshire
Died: 21-May-1918 Killed in Action
Buried: Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, I. P. 9, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium
Private 91150
The King's (Liverpool Regiment), 13th Battalion
Son of Nathan and Ann ALDERSON, of 22, Sussex St., Burnley, Lancashire
Born: 1899 Burnley R.D.
Died: 22-Mar-1918 aged 19
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Bay 3, Pas de Calais, France
German Operation Michael
Private 205020
Durham Light Infantry, 1st/9th Battalion, The Gateshead Gurkhas
Son of George William ALDERSON & Margaret Jane STEVENS
Husband of Mary ALDERSON, of Green Lea, Station Rd. South, New Seaham, Co.
Durham
Born: 1885 Sunderland, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Ripon, Yorkshire
Died: 27-Oct-1917 Died of Wounds aged 33
Buried: Poelcapelle British Cemetery, XLIII. E. 17, Langemark-Poelkapelle,
Belgium
Somme: On the 24th October 1917 the battalion provided working parties at
Saragosa Farm Camp; Harold Alderson was amongst the casualties
Private 62483
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 5th Battalion
Formerly 90216 7th Territorial Reserve Battalion
Son of Thomas and Mary Ellen ALDERSON, of 119, Leeds Rd., Birstall, Leeds,
Yorkshire
Born: 1899 Dewsbury R.D.
Died: 20-Jul-1918 aged 19
Buried: Jonchery-Sur-Vesle British Cemetery, I. F. 2, Marne, France
Second Battle of Marne
Corporal 5902
Coldstream Guards, 3rd Battalion
Son of Thomas & Elizabeth ALDERSON
Husband of Ethel Frances BARKER
Born: 1886, Neepsend, Sheffield, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Sheffield, Yorkshire
Died: 21-Oct-1914 Killed in Action
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 11, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
First Battle of Ypres: Positions around Piklem [Pilckem?]; Nos. 1 & 2 Companies
in support of 3rd Brigade's recapture of Koekuit
Private 19821
West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), 16th Battalion
Born: Leeds, Yorkshire
Enlisted: North Shields, Northumberland
Died: 1-Mar-1917 Died of Wounds
Buried: New British Cemetery, B. 18, Couin, Pas de Calais, France
Private 20555
Leicestershire Regiment, 7th (Service) Battalion
Son of Margaret BENNETT, of Hawthorn Cottage, Barningham, Darlington, and the
late John ALDERSON
Born: 1893 Romaldkirk, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Barnard Castle, Co. Durham
Died: 8-Oct-1917 Died of Wounds aged 25
Buried: British Cemetery, I. F. 17, Godewaersvelde, Nord, France
3rd Battle of Ypres - 1st Passchendaele
Private 34182
Durham Light Infantry 10th (Service) Battalion
Born: Leeds, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Leeds, Yorkshire
Died: 24-Mar-1918 Killed in Action
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Bay 4, Pas de Calais, France
German Operation Michael
Private 16629
Northumberland Fusiliers, 9th Battalion
Husband of Catherine MADDISON, of 23, Chapel St., Tantobie, Co. Durham
Born: Birtley, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland
Died: 7-Jul-1916 aged 28
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 10 B 11 B and 12 B, Somme, France
Memorial: Rowlands Gill war memorial
Battle of the Somme; Battle Of Mametz Wood: , At 2am after a 35 minute
bombardment, 9th Northumberland Fusiliers and 10th Lancashire Fusiliers (52nd
Division) with the 10th Sherwood Foresters (51 Brigade) in support, made a night
advance on two trences. The Northumberland Fusiliers and the right of the
Lancashire Fusiliers were held up by British shells falling short and then found
the wire uncut. They retired and attacked again later. This was also
unsuccessful and they withdrew
Private 21215
Royal Welsh Fusiliers 14th (Service) Battalion
Son of Walter George and Florence ALDERSON, of Llanfair P.G., Anglesey
Born: 1896 Bangor R.D.
Enlisted: Menai Bridge, Anglesey
Died: 7-Jun-1917 aged 20
Buried: Terlincthun British Cemetery, VIII. A.A. 18, Wimille, Pas de Calais,
France
Messines and Passchendaele
Gunner 74822
Royal Garrison Artillery, 186th Siege Battery
Son of Fred ALDERSON & Charlotte ALDERWICK of 13, Milnes Street, New Wortley,
Yorkshire
Husband of Annie DAWSON (formerly ALDERSON), of 16, Thornhill View, Wortley,
LeedsPas de Calais
Born: 1892 LeedsPas de Calais
Enlisted: Leeds
Died: 15-Oct-1917 Died of Wounds aged 25
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 6 to 7 and 162, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium
3rd Battle of Ypres - 1st Passchendaele
Midshipman, H.M.S. "Conqueror"
Royal Navy
Son of Marmaduke Jonathan George ALDERSON & Ethel Grace BYRDE
Born: 1900
Died: 15-Dec-1917 Killed in Action
Buried: St. Mary Churchyard, Tickhill, Yorkshire, United Kingdom with his mother
Coxswain Trinity House Yacht “Irene”
Died: Killed in Action, 9-Nov-1915
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial, London
Mined off North Foreland, lat. 51.29 N., long. 1.27 E., 1.5 miles ESE from
Tongue Light Vessel, mine, 21 lost including master
Private 4171
Durham Light Infantry, 8th Battalion (TA)
Born: Leamside Co. Durham
Enlisted: Durham
Died: 18-Sep-1916 Killed in Action
Buried: Adanac Military Cemetery, VIII. B. 27, Miraumont, Somme, France
18/9/1916 Somme: B Company of 8th DLI did not receive orders to stand down and
so at 05:30 attacked alone Prue Trench on the right of the Cresent in the
direction of High Wood with heavy casualties.
Private 22/870
Durham Light Infantry 22nd (Service) Battalion
Son of Joseph ALDERSON and Harriet AINSLEY, of Barnard Castle, Co. Durham
Born: 1894 Barnard Castle, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Darlington, Co. Durham
Died: 19-Jun-1918 aged 23
Buried: Communal Cemetery Extension, Plot I. Row C. Grave 7, Dueville, Italy
Private 3/10665
Durham Light Infantry 2nd Battalion
(2nd Bombay Europeans and 106th Light Infantry)
Son of James ALDERSON & Mary Ann WALTON, of William Street, Bishop Auckland,
Durham
Husband of Lily ALDERSON, of Daneswood, North Avenue, Gosforth,
Newcastle-on-Tyne
Born: 1890 Shildon
Enlisted: Sunderland
Died: 5-Aug-1915 Killed in Action aged 25
Buried: Hop Store Cemetery, Plot I. Row D. Grave 5, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium
Private 8726
Northumberland Fusiliers, 1st Battalion
Son of George ALDERSON & Hannah SPENCER of 12, Durham St., West Hartlepool, Co.
Durham
Brother of Charles George ALDERSON (Also died in WW1)
Born: 1884 Hartlepool R.D.
Died: 11-Nov-1917 aged 31
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 8 and 12, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Private 307274
West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), 1st/8th Battalion
Son of Mary Ann WRIGHT and the late Anthony ALDERSON, of Sunderland, Co. Durham
Born: 1896 Sunderland R.D.
Died: 25-Jul-1917 aged 21
Buried: Mont Huon Military Cemetery, IV. L. 6A, Le Treport, Seine-Maritime,
France
Private 15699
East Yorkshire Regiment, 8th Battalion
Son of Mary Elizabeth ALDERSON
Jeffrey ALDERSON married Un-named O'NEILL in 1912
Born: 1893 Spennymoor (Auckland R.D.)
Enlisted: Spennymoor, Co. Durham
Died: 20-Jul-1916 Killed in Action
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial , Pier and Face 2 C, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme; Second Battle Of Ypres
Private 15699
East Yorkshire Regiment, 8th Battalion
Son of Mary Elizabeth ALDERSON
Jeffrey ALDERSON married Un-named O'NEILL in 1912
Born: 1893 Spennymoor (Auckland R.D.)
Enlisted: Spennymoor, Co. Durham
Died: 20-Jul-1916 Killed in Action
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial , Pier and Face 2 C, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme; Second Battle Of Ypres
Private 25783
Border Regiment, 1st Battalion
P4078
Son of Joseph Thomas and Ann ALDERSON of 1 High Wiend, Appleby, Westmorland
Born: 1893 Appleby, Westmorland
Died: 19-May-1917 Killed in Action aged 25
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Bay 6, Pas de Calais, France
Sapper 203538
Royal Engineers, 183rd Tunnelling Company
Husband of Isabella BURNS
Born: Eccleshall, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Glencorse, Edinburgh, Scotland
Died: 17-Mar-1918 Died of Wounds
Buried: Dozinghem Military Cemetery, XIV. I. 7, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium
See AFHS 45/5
Private 42433
Durham Light Infantry, 15th Battalion, 15th DLI (Service)
Born: Crook, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Crook, Co. Durham
Died: 16-Sep-1916 Killed in Action
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 14 A and 15 C, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme, Battle Of Flers-Courcelette, 64 Brigade (attached from 21st
Division) formed the 41st Division's attack. They experienced great difficulty
in coming up to the front position in the darkness and rain so 15th DLI and 9th
KOYLI in front and 10th KOYLI and 1st East Yorks in support advanced some 1300
yards behind the barrage and were also late in starting. They suffered
considerably from machine gun fire and shrapnel before passing even 41st
Division's forward positions. A few troops got within 100 yards of Gird Trench
but the attack could not be pushed home.
Serjeant 12329
Durham Light Infantry, 18th (Service) Battalion "Durham Pals"
Son of David Slack ALDERSON and Mary Anne BROWN, of Barningham, Darlington
Born: 1890 Barningham
Enlisted: Sunderland
Died: 12-Apr-1918 Killed in Action aged 28
Buried: Le Grand Beaumart British Cemetery, II. F. 7, Steenwerck, Nord, France
German Operation Georgette
Private 18212
Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment), 6th (Service) Battalion
Son of the late William ALDERSON & Elizabeth Ann ROBINSON, of High Green,
Stokesley, Yorkshire
Born: 1896 Burby Yorkshire
Enlisted: Stokesley Yorkshire
Died: 20-Oct-1915 Killed in Action aged 19
Buried: Azmak Cemetery, I. F. 24, Suvla, Gallipoli, Turkey
Gallipoli
Book of Rememberance, Stokesley Parrish Church:
Private John Myers ALDERSON NO. 18218 of the 1st Yorkshire Regiment, scholar of
the Preston Grammar School, butcher, lecft England in September 1915, and went
to Egypt, thence to the Dardanelles, in October. While restoring wire
entanglements at midnight, he was wounded; his friends brought him back to the
British lines. He lived only one hour; by his friend Private Farnaby he sent
home his last messages; and desired that his Bible be sent to his mother. He
died on 20th October 1915. He was 19 years of age. His grave is at Azmac
Cemetery, Sulva in Gallipoli. Form the Parish Magazine; “He died in the service
of his country. He was confirmed of 1910; a soldier of Christ as well as of his
King and country "Think not that I am come to destry; I am come not to destroy,
but to fulfil"
Private 19205
Lancashire Fusiliers, 2nd/5th Battalion
Son of John Ralph ALDERSON and Hannah FEATHERSTONE, of 75, Stafford Rd., Swinton,
Manchester, b Swinton
Brother of George ALDERSON (also died in WW1)
Born: 1886 Swinton, Lancashire
Enlisted: Rochdale, Lancashire
Died: 26-Apr-1918 Killed in Action aged 31
Memorial: Loos Memorial, Panel 45 and 46, France
German Operation Georgette
Private 32528
York and Lancaster Regiment 8th (Service) Battalion
Son of James ALDERSON & Elizabeth BLENKIRON, of Oakworth House, Bridge Terrace,
Reeth, Richmond, Yorkshire
Born: 1883 West Hartlepool, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Reeth
Died: 7-Jun-1917 Killed in Action aged 33
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 36 and 55, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Corporal 13823 (13223?)
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 2nd Battalion, "C" Company
Son of William ALDERSON & Mary Elizabeth BARKER
Husband of Margaret WARD, of 26, Brown St., Burnley, Lancashire
Born: 1888 Burnley, Lancashire
Enlisted: Burnley, Lancashire
Died: Died of Wounds 30-Oct-1916 aged 28
Buried: Grove Town Cemetery, II. D. 24, Meaulte, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme; Second Battle Of Ypres
Canadian civilian
P4653
Son of Thomas ALDERSON & Margaret BUTSON
Husband of Edith JONES
Son Claude also died in WW1
Born: 4 Oct 1881 Burnley, Lancshire
Died: 7-Feb-1917 aged 35
Buried: Lost at sea
Passenger with his son on S.S. California, Anchor Line, when it was torpedoed
and sunk by submarine without warning. 43 killed and missing
Private 20/576
Durham Light Infantry 20th (Service) Battalion
Son of Richard Edward ALDERSON & Ann DAWSON
Born: 1896 Hetton Le Hole
Enlisted: Houghton, Co. Durham
Died: 7-Jun-1917 Killed in Action
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 36 and 38, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Private 22946
Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd Garrison Battalion
Son of John George ALDERSON & Ann MUSE
Born: 1884 Consett, Co. Durham
Died: 9-Oct-1916 in India
Buried: Ahmednagar Government Cemetery, India
Memorial: 1914-1918 Memorial, Panel Number: Face 3, Kirkee, India
Private 26763
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 55th Company
Born: West Hartlepool, Co. Durham
Enlisted: West Hartlepool, Co. Durham
Died: 20-Nov-1916 Killed in Action
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 5 C and 12, Somme, France
Private 27021
Durham Light Infantry 15th (Service) Battalion
Son of John ALDERSON (deceased) and Louisa WRIGHT, of 58, Lincoln St., Leeholme,
Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham
Born: 1881 Skelton, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland
Died: 24-Aug-1918 Killed in Action aged 39
Buried: Regina Trench Cemetery, VII. A. II, Grandcourt, Somme, France
Private 200676
Durham Light Infantry, 13th (Service) Battalion
Son of Joseph and Jane ALDERSON, of 21, Fern St., Deptford Rd., Sunderland, Co.
Durham
Born: 1896 Southwick, Sunderland, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Seaham Harbour, Co. Durham
Died: 13-Jun-1917 Died of Wounds aged 21
Buried: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, XV. H. 13, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium
Able Seaman Clyde Z/759
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Drake Battalion R.N. Division
Died: 4-Feb-1917
Memorial: Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, Pier and Face 1 A, Nord, France
Driver 82617
Royal Field Artillery, 108th Brigade, "C" Battery
Son of James ALDERSON and Jane BLAND
Born: 1883 Richmond R.D.
Enlisted: Darlington, Co. Durham
Died: 7-Oct-1917 Died of Wounds
Buried: Oxford Road Cemetery, I. E. 10, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
3rd Battle of Ypres - 1st Passchendaele
Sergeant 1119
Australian Imperial Force, Australian Infantry, 16th Battalion
Son of William Henry
and Annie ALDERSON, of 29, Leah St., Forestville,
South Australia
Enlisted: Port Pirie, South Australia
Died: 2-May-1915 Killed in Action aged 19y 6m
Memorial: Lone Pine Memorial, 50, Gallipoli, Turkey
Native of Strathblyn
Occupation: Cabinet Maker
Gallipoli
Son of George and 2nd wife Mary L. CRAMER
Born: 2 June 1896 most probably in Belden, Cedar County, Nebraska, USA
Died: Died of disease
American Soldiers of the Great War, Volume 2 - Page 216
Chief Engine Room Artificer 403EB
Royal Naval Reserve, H.M. Tug "Desire",
Son of the Rev. John ALDERSON and Jane ALDERSON
Husband of Eleanor Alderson, of 41, Essex Gardens, Gateshead, Co. Durham
Born: 1875 Gateshead, Co. Durham
Died: 24-Jan-1918 Killed in Action, aged 42
Memorial: Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon
Memorial: Gateshead War Memorial - C.E.R.A. L Banner
HM Tug Desire (165 tons gross) was lost on 24 Jan. 1918, sunk by submarine off
the Yorkshire coast.
Lance Corporal 12158
West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), 12th Battalion
Son of John ALDERSON & Hannah LOFTHOUSE
Born: 1890 Leeds, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Leeds, Yorkshire
Died: 10-Oct-1916 Killed in Action
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 2 A 2 C and 2 D, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme; Second Battle Of Ypres
Private 5702
Northumberland Fusiliers, 14th Battalion
Son of Ann HARPLEY (formerly ALDERSON), of Spennymoor, Co. Durham, and the late
Cuthbert ALDERSON
Husband of Eleanor Jane BROWN, of 24, Chiltern St., Stoke Rd., Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire
Born: 1889 Crook
Enlisted: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Northumberland
Died: 22-Mar-1918 Killed in Action aged 29
Memorial: Pozieres Memorial, Panel 16 to 18, Somme, France
German Operation Michael
Fireman
Mercantile Marine Reserve, H.M.S. "Viknor
Son of John ALDERSON and Catherine Rebecca HOLLAND
Born: 1881 South Shields
Died: 13-Jan-1915 Killed in Action
Memorial: Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon
H.M.S. Viknor was an 5386 ton armed merchant cruiser of the 10th Cruiser
Squadron, originally a Blue Star Line vessel called the 'Viking' and built in
1888, she was requisitioned and renamed by the Royal Navy. She was under the
Command of Commander E. O. Ballantyne and had a crew compliment of 22 officers
and 273 ratings - these were made up of Royal Navy Reserves, 25 of whom came
from the Newfoundland Division of the Royal Navy Reserves. On January 13th, 1915
while on active patrol duty in heavy seas off Tory Island she struck a German
mine and sank with the loss of all hands. Many of the crew were from South
Shields and South Tyneside. In Bonamargie Friary you will find the grave of
Private. J. Griffin, PO 7084, RMLI. 25 seamen were of the Newfoundland Division
of the Royal Naval Reserve. 24 are commemorated on the Beaumont Hamel Memorial
in France. One body was washed ashore and is buried in Colonsay. There are also
four unknown graves of seamen from H.M.S.'Viknor' . In Ballintoy Churchyard
you'll find the grave of of E.R. Hewett, RN J/27300, 1st Class Boy.
Private 241021
West Riding Regiment, Duke of Wellington's, 2nd/4th Battalion
Son of Naylor ALDERSON and Frances BUCKLEY
Born: 1893 Dewsbury R.D.
Died: 3-May-1917
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Bay 6, Pas de Calais, France
He lived with his mother at Cross Street, Norristhorpe, near Liversedge, West
Yorkshire.
Private 53860
West Yorkshire Regt. (Prince of Wales's Own), 8th Battalion
Son of Richard and Emma ALDERSON, of 20, Bute St., Bolton Woods, Bradford,
Yorkshire
Born: 1899 Bradford, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Bradford, Yorkshire
Died: 3-Sep-1918 Died of Wounds aged 19
Buried: Bac-Du-Sud British Cemetery, III. F. 2, Bailleulval, Pas de Calais,
France
Private 22/779
Durham Light Infantry 22nd (Sertvice) Battalion
Son of Pilate ALDERSON & Sarah WANDLESS
Born: 1892 Eldon, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Sunderland, Co. Durham
Died: 23-Oct-1916 Killed in Action
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 14 A and 15 C, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme; Second Battle Of Ypres
Gunner 2274
Australian Imperial Force, 3rd Australian Field Artillery
7th Battery; Brigade Ammunition Column
Son of Thomas & Catherine T. ALDERSON
Next of Kin: N.ALDERSON (brother) Moorhead Street, Redfern, NSW
Born: 1891 Grafton, NSW
Enlisted: Redfern, NSW
Enlisted: 28-Aug-1914 Brisbane
Died: 19-Aug-1915 Killed in Action aged 25
Buried: Shell Green Cemetery, I. B. 7, Gallipoli, Turkey
Gallipoli
Chemist Pioneer 183413
Royal Engineers, "P" Special Company
Son of George Thomas ALDERSON and Henrietta ALDERSON, of Raby House, Sadberge,
Darlington
Born: 9 Apr 1888 Thornaby, Yorkshire
Enlisted: London (of 4 Princess Road, Finsbury Park, Middlesex)
Died: 19-Oct-1917 Died of Wounds aged 29
Buried: Dozinghem Military Cemetery, XI. G. 2, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium
3rd Battle of Ypres - 1st Passchendaele
Private 6577
The King's (Liverpool Regiment), 1st/8th Battalion
Formerly 5320 Manchester Regiment
Son of George & Sarah J ALDERSON
Born: 1893 Manchester, Lancashire
Enlisted: Manchester, Lancashire
Died: 9-Sep-1916 Killed in Action aged 23
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 1 D 8 B and 8 C, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme; Second Battle Of Ypres
Guardsman 24371
Grenadier Guards, 3rd Battalion
Son of Thomas ALDERSON & Jane KIRKBRIDE
Born: 1880 Hawes, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Leyburn, Yorkshire
Died: 27-Mar-1918 Killed in Action
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Bay 1, Pas de Calais, France
German Operation Michael
Captain
Lancashire Fusiliers, 1st/8th Battalion
Son of the Rev. Henry Everingham ALDERSON & Annie Hake H. COX, of Hope Vicarage,
Pendleton, Manchester, Lancashire
Born: 1894 Bolton R.D.
Died: 25-Mar-1918 Died of Wounds aged 23
Buried: Bac-Du-Sud British Cemetery, I. D. 2, Bailleulval, Pas de Calais, France
German Operation Michael
Private 755
Australian Imperial Force, Australian Infantry, 42nd Battalion
P4814?
Husband of Blanch M. PROSSER
Next of Kin: N. ALDERSON (brother) 6 Fisher's Reserve, Petersham, New South
Wales, Australia
Born: 1872 Grafton, New South Wales, Australia
Enlisted: Clifton, Queensland on 20/11/1915
Died: 4-Oct-1917 Killed in Action aged 38
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 7 - 17 - 23 - 25 - 27 - 29 – 31,
West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
3rd Battle of Ypres - 1st Passchendaele
Major
Royal Air Force
Son of the Rev. Canon F. C. ALDERSON, of Peterborough Cathedral and Lutterworth,
and of Katharine Gwladys GUEST
Born: 1880 Brixworth R.D.
Died: 30-Jun-1918 aged 38 of 'Spanish' 'flu in Hull, Yorkshire
Buried: Lutterworth (St. Mary) Churchyard Leicestershire
Memorial: Plaque on wall of War Memorial Cloister at Winchester College in
section France, Flanders: Reginald Liddon, Major Royal Air Force, started at
Winchester 1894
The departure of the Rector [Montague Alderson ] has been attended by a very
heavy blow which has fallen on the family by the untimely death of his youngest
brother, Major Liddon Alderson, of the R.A.F., fourth son of the late Canon and
Mrs Alderson], who died in a Military Hospital at Hull on Saturday night [29
June 1918] from a heart failure, following a serious attack of influenza. He was
visiting at the Rectory only three weeks ago, and then seemed in his usual
health. A wire reached his mother and the Rector on Friday morning as they were
preparing to take their leave of the Rectory, and they at once left for Hull.
Just about to train as ferry pilot when taken ill.
FUNERAL OF MAJOR ALDERSON: The internment of Major L Alderson took place on
Wednesday afternoon (3 July 1918), with full military honours, in the Parish
Churchyard. The body was brought from Hull the previous night. The church was
closely filled with parishioners, and many waited in the churchyard. The service
in the church was choral, the Rev. S. J. Jameson (Cotesbach) took the first
part, and the Rector (brother of deceased [Montague 26534]) read the Lesson and
also took most of the service at the graveside.
Lance Corporal 47530
Lancashire Fusiliers, 1st/5th Battalion
Son of William ALDERSON & Elizabeth PARKER, of 144, Abel St., Burnley,
Lancashire
Born: 1898 Burnley, Lancashire
Died: 25-Mar-1918 Died of Wounds aged 19
Buried: British Cemetery, A. 5, Ayette, Pas de Calais, France
German Operation Michael
Obituary from the Independent Methodist Magazine 1918 page 90 (with photograph)
Richard of Robinson Street Church, Burnley; We received another sad blow when
news was received that our young friend, Richard ALDERSON, had died from wounds
received in France on March 25th. Only nineteen years old, he was a very bright
lad, and took an active part in Band of Hope work and the Scout Troop of our
School. We had great expectations of him for the future, as he manifested much
interest in the Church. An impressive service, largely attended, was held on
Sunday evening, June 16th, when reference was made to our young friend by Mr.
Henry HARGREAVES
Private 28136
Yorkshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion
Son of William ALDERSON & Margaret SCOTT, of Angram, Muker, Yorkshire
Born: 15 June 1896 Skeughead, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Satron Yks
Died: 26-Jul-1917 Died of Wounds aged 21
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 33, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Memorial: Keld Memorial & plaque in Muker Village Hall
See AFHS 45/3 and 44/13
Private 116461
Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regt.), 29th Battalion
Son of James and Isabella ALDERSON, of 64, Walter St., Brierfield, Burnley,
Lancashire
Born: 1885 Burnley R.D.
Died: 2-May-1918 aged 33
Buried: Bac-Du-Sud British Cemetery, Bailleulval, Pas de Calais, France
See AFHS 56/12
Serjeant 15781
The King's (Liverpool Regiment), 17th Battalion
Son of Robert ALDERSON and Elizabeth Grace BRAGG, of 52, Moscow Drive,
Stoneycroft, Liverpool, Lancashire
Born: 1892 West Derby R.D.
Died: 14-Oct-1916 aged 24
Buried: Heilly Station Cemetery, III. C. 26, , Mericourt-L'Abbe, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme; Second Battle Of Ypres
Battalion formed in Liverpool, 29 August 1914, by Lord Derby, in the old watch
factory at Prescot. Has probable distinction of being the first of the 'Pals'
battalions to be formed.
Private 52
Army Veterinary Corps, Northumbrian Division
Son of Thomas ALDERSON and Susan WHITEHEAD, of West Pelton, Co. Durham
Husband of Mary Elizabeth ALDERSON, of 28, Park St., Middlesbrough, Yorkshire
Born: 1884 Chester le Street R.D.
Died: 11-Nov-1915 aged 31
Buried: St. Paul Churchyard West Pelton, Co. Durham
Private 2338
Australian Imperial Force, Australian Infantry, 11th Battalion
Son of James ALDERSON and Maria SHIPPEY
Husband of Isabel ALDERSON (deceased, widow)
Born: 11 April 1867, 5 Belsize Mews, Belsize Lane, Hampstead, London, England
Enlisted: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Died: 25-Jul-1916 aged 46
Memorial: Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme; Battle of Pozieres Ridge, At 3:30 am the securing of
Pozieres began. On the right the 12th Battalion was exposed to heavy fire which
prevented it from forming the link with 11th Battalion, who had reached the
Light Railway but had come under fire from 8th Brigade, causing some confusion.
At daylight 11th battalion was so heavily shelled that it was drawn back to its
old line.
Corporal 20445
West Riding Regiment, Duke of Wellington's, 2nd/4th Battalion
P2541
Son of John ALDERSON & Hannah EDWARDS
Born: 1886 Bradford, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Bradford, Yorkshire
Died: 20-Nov-1917 Died of Wounds
Buried: Flesquieres Hill British Cemetery, III. A. 4, Nord, France
Cambrai
Private 31239
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 53rd Company
Formerly 12201 RW Kent Regiment
Son of William ALDERSON & Louisa COLLINS
Born: 1892 Idle Hill, Kent
Enlisted: Sevenoaks, Kent
Died: 19-Jul-1916 Killed in Action
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial , Pier and Face 5 C and 12 C, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme; Second Battle Of Ypres
Stoker 1565/U
Royal Naval Reserve, H.M.S. " Pembroke"
Son of Thomas & Jane ALDERSON
Husband of Bertha S. WELLHAM
Born: 19 Apr 1871 Newcastle Upon Tyne R.D.
Died: 22 May 1918 aged 46 in Monkwearmouth Hospital, Sunderland, Co. Durham
Buried: 27th May 1918 by, Rev.C.W. Thistlethwaite, Removed from, Monkwearmouth
to 5. A. 1171. C Ryhope Road Cemetery, Sunderland
Private 33378
York and Lancaster Regiment, 1st/4th (Hallamshire) Battalion
Formerly 45577 Yorkshire Regiment
Son of Benjamin ALDERSON and Elizabeth HURD
Born: 12 Nov 1879 Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham
Died: 15-Apr-1918 Died of Wounds
Buried: Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery, I. E. 9, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen,
France
German Operation Georgette
Mercantile Marine, S.S. "Ausonia" (Liverpool)
Son of the late William Baxter ALDERSON and Charlotte WRIGHT.
Born: 1894 Appleby, Westmorland
Died: 30-May-1918 Killed in Action aged 28
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial, London
Memorial: War Memorial, St Lawrence Churchyard: Petty Officer T. Alderson, R.N.
Ausonia (1911-1918) (formerly Tortona, taken over with Thomson Line), 8185 tons,
was torpedoed without warning and sunk by gunfire 620 miles W by S (true) from
Fastnet on 30 May 1918 with 44 lives lost.
Lance Bombardier 213542
Royal Field Artillery, 50th Brigade, "C" Battery
Son of William ALDERSON and Mary Ann BOWEN, of Lower Lea, Bishop's Castle,
Shropshire
Born: 1 Feb 1896 Bishop's Castle, Shropshire
Enlisted: Ludlow, Shropshire
Died: 29-Jul-1918 aged 22
Buried: Le Peuplier Military Cemetery, D. 17, Caestre, Nord, France
See AFHS 33/12
Private 20/908
Durham Light Infantry, 20th (Service) Battalion
Son of John and Ann ALDERSON (nee SWINGLEHURST), of 1, Graham Terrace, Shildon,
Co. Durham
Husband of Ada ALDERSON, of 8, Short St., Shildon, Co. Durham
Born: 1885 Shildon, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham
Died: 31-Jul-1917 Killed in Action aged 31
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 36 and 38, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
123rd Brigade attacked north of the canal with two companies of the 23rd
Middlesex, 11th Queen's, 10th Royal West Kents and 20th Durham Light Infantry in
support. Despite meeting strong resistance they managed to take the first
objective, the Red Line. Progress was slow owing to the state of the ground and
the barrage which got ahead of the attacking troops. An attempt was made to take
the Green Line, but a line of pillboxes resisted all attempts at capture.
Private 95036
Durham Light Infantry, 15th (Service) Battalion
Son of John & Hannah ALDERSON
Born: Durham, Co. Durham
Enlisted: New Brancepeth, Co. Durham
Died: 7-Nov-1918 Killed in Action aged 21
Buried: Dourlers Communal Cemetery Extension, II. A. 15, Nord, France
Private 6589
Border Regiment, 2nd Battalion
Son of Thomas W and Eliza ALDERSON, of 143, Boarshaw Rd., Middleton, Manchester,
Lancashire
Born: Apr 1878 Sunderland, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Manchester, Lancashire
Died: 16-May-1915 Killed in Action aged 37
Memorial: Le Touret Memorial, Panel 19 and 20, Pas de Calais, France
Enlisted 18980513 aged 20 years 1 month in Coldstream Guards No. 1643, and
served 12 years including South Africa campaign.
15-25 May 1915, Forming part of French Commander-in-Chief Joseph Joffre's Artois
Offensive in the spring of 1915 - his second large-scale infantry assault
following the Champagne Offensive in December 1914 - the Battle of Festubert, in
the Ypres Salient, was fought by the Allies (British, Canadian and Indian
troops) against the Germans from 15-27 May 1915. The Festubert attack was
launched by Sir Douglas Haig in response to pressure applied to the British
Expeditionary Force (BEF) by Joffre, and was the BEF's second attack during the
offensive, following an assault upon Neuve Chapelle four days earlier on 9 May.
Preceded by a four day artillery bombardment by over 400 guns firing 100,000
shells, the attack around the village of Festubert was launched at night on 15
May by two divisions of mostly Indian infantry, and made rapid initial progress,
despite the failure of the preliminary bombardment to effectively destroy the
German Sixth Army front line defences (under Crown Prince Rupprecht). Under
attack, the Germans retreated to a line directly in front of the village. A
further assault upon these lines, by Canadian troops, was begun on 18 May, but
was unsuccessful in the face of German artillery fire. In heavy rain some Allied
troops began to prepare trenches to consolidate the small gains made thus far.
During that same evening the German front line received a further injection of
reserves. Renewed attacks by the Allied forces between 20-24 May resulted in the
capture of Festubert village itself, a position held until
the ...
Gunner 64160
Royal Garrison Artillery, 99th Siege Battery
Son of John and Emma ALDERSON, of Backhold Royd, Southowram, Halifax, Yorkshire
Born: 1896 Halifax, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Halifax, Yorkshire
Died: 17-Jul-1917 Died of Wounds aged 21, gas casualty
Buried: Dozinghem Military Cemetery, I. D. 12, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium
Private 32166
Durham Light Infantry, 10th (Service) Battalion
Son of John ALDERSON & Elizabeth Jane KIDD
Born: 1895 West Auckland, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Seaham, Co. Durham
Died: 16-Sep-1916 Killed in Action
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme; Second Battle Of Ypres, On the night of the 14th Sept the
10th moved forward again into Fricourt area and after receiving stores moved
forward the following morning to Bernafay Wood. They were ordered to occupy
trenches east of Longueval-Fler-Road, the way was by Delville Wood and 8 men
were killed by shell fire and a further 9 were killed by shell fire when they
reached the objective. The British advance had been stopped with heavy losses at
Bulls Road east of Flers and the 10 were ordered to march at midnight to new
positions on the left. At 9.45a.m. they were ordered to attack breaking through
the Gird defences clearing Gueudecourt of Germans and establishing a new line.
The support artillery was poor as they started their advance and as soon as they
were in the open they came under heavy machine gun fire losing lots of men for
each yard gained. After gaining 1/4 of a mile they had to take shelter in shell
holes until 6.45p.m. when another attack was ordered. Our own shell fire was
falling all around the 10th forcing them to abandon their shell holes only to
cut down by German machine guns. As there were no support troops left withdrawal
was ordered to Bulls Road under cover of darkness where they set up defensive
positions. On the morning of the 17th they were relieved by the 21st and when
they reached Pommiers Redoubt having sustained losses of 381 killed or wounded.
They marched back in pouring rain to Ribemont were they boarded French busses
travelling to Brevillers for rest and more training.
Private 201067
Durham Light Infantry 19th (Service) Battalion
Son of Charles ALDERSON and Ann RAINE
Born: 1888 Cotherstone, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham
Died: 1-Oct-1918 Killed in Action
Buried: Perth Cemetery (China Wall), II. J. 4, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Private 2118
Yorkshire Regiment, 1st/4th Battalion
Son of Frederick & Isabel ALDERSON
Husband of Helena (Ellen) KITCHING of Brompton, Northallerton, Yorkshire
Born: 1885 Darlington R.D.
Died: 17-Jul-1916 aged 31
Buried: Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, L. 37, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium
Battle of the Somme; Second Battle Of Ypres, Walter Alderson was born in
Darlington, though at the outbreak of War he was living in and enlisted in
Northallerton. He was married and his wife's name was Ellen and they had one
child. Before the War he worked at the Pattison's Linen Mill and he was a member
of the Brompton Chess Club. He joined the territorials immediately after the
outbreak of War, and sailed to France with the 4th Yorkshires in April 1915. He
was killed, aged 31, while the 4th Yorkshires were occupying the front-line
trenches near Kemmel (Trenches G1 to J3). Walter was the only casualty on an
otherwise quiet day and the Battalion was relieved on 19th July and moved back
to Kemmel Chateau in the rear. In a letter to his family from a Major Charlton
it was said he was "shot through the neck and died almost immediately".
Serjeant 19015
Grenadier Guards, 4th Battalion
P4710
Son of William James and Eliza Dobbing ALDERSON
Nephew of Ada E. MASON, of 9, Van Mildert Terrace, Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham
Born: 1888 South Stockton, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Darlington, Co. Durham
Died: 2-Aug-1917 Died of Wounds aged 28
Buried: Artillery Wood Cemetery, II. A. 8, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
3rd Battle of Ypres - 1st Passchendaele
Bombardier 35587
Royal Field Artillery, 12th Trench Mortar Battery (attached to)
Son of Richard ALDERSON
Son of Mrs. E. A. HERON (formerly ALDERSON), of 6, Sutcliffe Buildings,
Wakefield Rd., Sowerby Bridge, Yorkshire
Born: 1889 Luddendenfoot, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Halifax, Yorkshire
Died: 25-May-1918 Killed in Action
Buried: Mailly Wood Cemetery, II. N. I2, Somme, France
Private 200197
Durham Light Infantry, 1/5th Battalion, D Company
Son of George ALDERSON & Alice STONEHOUSE
Born: 1895 Broompark, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Stockton On Tees, Co. Durham
Died: 18-Aug-1919 Died of Wounds at Home after the War
Buried: Hutton Henry Cemetery, Co. Durham 3. 127 V
Gunner 95014
Royal Garrison Artillery, 214th Siege Battery
Son of John ALDERSON & Martha DAY
Brother of Charles ALDERSON (also died in WW1)
Born: 1887 Richmond, Yorkshire
Enlisted: Darlington, Co. Durham
Died: 13-Jul-1917 Died of Wounds
Buried: Dozinghem Military Cemetery, I. C. 10, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium
In July 1917, at the beginning of the British offensive of Third Ypres, groups
of Casualty Clearing Stations (CCS) were placed in readiness at three positions
called by the troops Mendinghem, Dozinghem and Bandaghem.
Gunner L/19416
161st Royal Field Artillery
Son of William James ALDERSON & Sophia SPROXTON
Born: 1893 York, Yorkshire
Enlisted: York, Yorkshire
Died: 27-May-1918 Died of Wounds
Buried: Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, VIII. O. 35, Souchez, Pas de Calais,
France
German Operation Blucher-Yorke
Private 4121
West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), 1st/7th Battalion, Leeds Rifles
Son of Joseph ALDERSON and Charlotte FOTHERBY
Born: 1887 Leeds R.D.
Died: 3-Jul-1916 Died of Wounds aged 28
Buried: Puchevillers British Cemetery , I. B. 2, Somme, France
Battle of the Somme
Private 7230
Durham Light Infantry, 1st/9th Battalion, The Gateshead Gurkhas
Son of James ALDERSON and Hannah LENG
Born: 1894 Fishburn, Co. Durham
Enlisted: Grosmont Yorkshire
Died: 5-Nov-1916 Killed in Action aged 22
Buried: Warlencourt British Cemetery, I. D. 29, Pas de Calais, France
Battle of the Somme; Battle Of Ancre Heights, The Division attacked with the
1/8th DLI (151 Brigade) on the right. The men had to pull one another out of the
mud before they could start. They almost reached the German lines but were
stopped by machine gun fire and gradually fell back during the day. The 1/6th
DLI suffered a similar fate except on the left where they linked with 1/9th DLI.
The 1/9th went through two lines of German trenches, reached the Butte and
established a post on the Bapaume road - some entering the Walencourt line. But
these advanced posts were forced back and at 10:00 pm the enemy were still
holding the quarry and 500 yards of the German front line. By midnight the DLI
had been forced back to their own lines.
Serjeant 66249
Royal Engineers, 145th Army Troops Company
Son of John Alexander ALDERSON and Helen PERKS, of 128, Stafford St., Dudley,
Worcestershire
Born: 1895 Dudley, Worcestershire
Enlisted: Worcester
Died: 9-Apr-1918 Killed in Action aged 22
Buried: Croix-Du-Bac British Cemetery, IV. E. 7, Steenwerck, Nord, France
German Operation Georgette
Serjeant 13645
Border Regiment, 11th (Service) Battalion (Pal's Regiment), D. Company
Son of James Gilmore ALDERSON and Hannah RITSON, of 134, High St., Maryport,
Cumberland
Born: 1894 Cockermouth R.D.
Died: 9-Mar-1916 Killed in Action aged 21
Buried: Becourt Military Cemetery, I. H. 14, Becordel-Becourt, Somme, France
Somme; After their trench duty the Lonsdales moved to rest billets in Albert and
Henencourt Woods, then once again back to tranch duty. More losses occured on
10th March 1916 when a working party was clearing out a support trench. One man
threw some dirt over the top of the trench with the inevitable result of the
Germans quickly shelling the position. Lt. Robinson was killed along with a Sgt
Alderson and three men.
Corporal T4/174020
Royal Army Service Corps, 11th Division Train
Son of Frederick (deceased) & Jane ALDERSON, of Leominster, Warwickshire
Born: Leominster, Warwickshire
Enlisted: Seaford
Died: 25-Oct-1918 aged 26
Buried: Terlincthun British Cemetery, VI. C. 13., Wimille, Pas de Calais, France
Private 423
Canadian Infantry (Winnipeg Rifles), 8th Battalion
Son of James & Margaret ALDERSON
Born: 1890 Formby, Lancashire
Died: 3-Jun-1915 aged 24 in an orchard Givenchy, France
Memorial: Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
See AFHS 56/11
Private 8333
Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers)
Son of David ALDERSON and Annie BURDEN
Born: 1895 Fulford, Yorkshire
Enlisted: York, Yorkshire
Died: 17-May-1915 Killed in Action
Buried: Communal Cemetery, II. C. I8, Hazebrouck, Nord, France
Second Battle Of Ypres, Festubert, 15-25 May 1915, Forming part of French
Commander-in-Chief Joseph Joffre's Artois Offensive in the spring of 1915 - his
second large-scale infantry assault following the Champagne Offensive in
December 1914 - the Battle of Festubert, in the Ypres Salient, was fought by the
Allies (British, Canadian and Indian troops) against the Germans from 15-27 May
1915. The Festubert attack was launched by Sir Douglas Haig in response to
pressure applied to the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) by Joffre, and was the
BEF's second attack during the offensive, following an assault upon Neuve
Chapelle four days earlier on 9 May. Preceded by a four day artillery
bombardment by over 400 guns firing 100,000 shells, the attack around the
village of Festubert was launched at night on 15 May by two divisions of mostly
Indian infantry, and made rapid initial progress, despite the failure of the
preliminary bombardment to effectively destroy the German Sixth Army front line
defences (under Crown Prince Rupprecht). Under attack, the Germans retreated to
a line directly in front of the village. A further assault upon these lines, by
Canadian troops, was begun on 18 May, but was unsuccessful in the face of German
artillery fire. In heavy rain some Allied troops began to prepare trenches to
consolidate the small gains made thus far. During that same evening the German
front line received a further injection of reserves. Renewed attacks by the
Allied forces between 20-24 May resulted in the capture of Festubert village
itself, a position held until the German advance of spring 1918. Despite having
captured Festubert however, the Allied forces had advanced less than a
kilometre; consequently the attack was ended on 27 May.