No.13703, Private, Alfred THOMPSON
Aged 22
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Alfred Thompson was born in 1893 (Mildenhall Q4-1893 4A:738), son of Georgiana THOMPSON, who married James Arthur NORMAN in 1896. 1901 census...Aged 7, as Alfred NORMAN, he was in Bedlam Yard, West Row with his step father Arthur NORMAN [28] farm labourer; his mother Georgiana [30]; half brothers Bert [4] and James C [1]. All were born in Mildenhall. 1911 census...Aged 17, a farm labourer, as Alfred NORMAN, he was in West Row with his step father; mother and half brothers Bert (farm labourer) and Charlie [8]; sister Lily [4]. Half brother James had died in 1901. |
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Enlisted in West Row. Died in No.11 General Hospital, Etaples. Sole legatee Mrs Georgiana NORMAN
The Bury Free Press of 10th June 1916 reported - SECOND WEST ROW SOLDIER KILLED - "HE WAS A CHEERFUL AND EXCELLENT SOLDIER" - A fortnight ago the mother of Prvt.Alfred Thompson, of the 9th Suffolk Regiment, received a telegram from the War Office stating that her son was dangerously wounded, and was in the Carniers Hospital, France. The Government generously made every possible arrangement for the mother and a friend to go across the sea and visit the young soldier, and they were enabled to remain with him until the last. He was one of Kitchener's Army and among the very first first to volunteer for King and Country. The Commanding Officer sent a letter of deepest sympathy when he heard of the sad news, and his letter is as follows -"With deep regret I write to inform you I have just been notified by the authorities that your son died of wounds at 4.55 a.m. on the 29th inst. Your son was wounded in action on the 15th inst., when in the trenches with my Company. I saw him before he went down to the dressing station and he was then quite cheerful and did not seem to be suffering much pain. I am sorry indeed to be the bearer of such sad news to you. Your boy had been with me a long tie. He was a cheerful and energetic worker and an excellent soldier, and he will be missed by all who knew him. I ask you to accept my deepest sympathy - yours- L.Ensor, Capt, O/C D Company"............... Last Sunday a memorial service was held for Prvt Thompson, another of our Suffolk heroes, at the Baptist Chapel, West Row.........This makes the second West Row solider who has died for King and Country. The West Row soldiers have been singularly free form casualties till lately. Out of th1 n110 who have joined the forces 2 have been killed and 11 have been wounded.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission also commemorated on the war memorial in Mildenhall click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
