DAINES, Alfred


No.242084, Private, Alfred DAINES
Aged 29


2nd/5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment
formerly No. 5871, Gloucestershire Regiment
formerly No.2373, 5th Bn., Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on Thursday, 21st March 1918


Alfred Daines was born in Ovington, Essex (Risbridge Q3-1888 4A:621), son of Charles and [Sarah] Ann DAINES (née SMEE).

1891 census...Aged 2, he was in Poslingford with his father Charles DAINES [48] farm labourer; his mother Ann [44]; brothers Thomas [21] (farm labourer) and Charles [12] (all born in Toppesfield, Essex); sisters Susannah [7], Elizabeth [5] and Beatrice [4]; brother William [10] (all born in Ovington, Esseex).

1901 census...Aged 12, he was at The Street, Poslingford with his parents (father now stockman); brothers Lewis (Thomas?)[32] unemployed and William (farm labourer); sisters Grace (Elizabeth ?) and Beatrice.

1911 census...Aged 22, farm labourer, he was at Poslingford with his parents (father a milkman on farm); niece Olive DAINES [3] born Clacton (parentage not identified).His mother had borne 12 children but three had died.



He enlisted in Clare. The Gloucestershire Regiment, uniquely in the British Army, wear two badge on the hats, one at the front and a slightly smaller one at the back. This honour was bestowed upon them in recognition of their efforts when surrounded by the enemy in the Battle of Alexandria in 1801.
The battalion, part of 184th Brigade were in Holnon Wood, with the 2nd/4th Ox and Bucks in front line, 2nd/4th Berkshire at Ugny. The war diary:-
21/3/18 - 4:30 am - Enemy bombardment opens and continuous until 11:30 am with E and gas. Weather misty until mid day. Battn ordered to battle stations at 5 am. At 1 pm enemy break through forward zone form line 500 yards front of battle zone. No attack on battle zone. Dispositions B Coy R front, A Coy L front, C Coy counter-attack, D Coy passive defence. Three officers wounded

CWGC records show 35 of the battalion killed this day, 19 with no known grave


the position on 21st March 1918





photo: Roy Beardsworth



Alfred Daines is commemorated on the Pozières memorial, panels 40 and 41

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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