MEEKINS, Alec Alfred


No.14541, Sergeant, Alec Alfred MEEKINS
Aged 28


7th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers
Died of his Wounds on Friday, 21st February 1919


Born on 2nd September 1890 in Bury St.Edmunds (4th qtr 4a:047) son of Harry and Ellen MEEKINS(née HILL)

1891 census...Aged 9 months, he was at 29 Eastgate Street, Bury St.Edmunds, with his father Harry G MEEKINS [30] painter/paperhanger; his mother Ellen [29] tailoress; brother Arthur [2]. All were born in Bury St.Edmunds.

1901 census...Aged 11, he was still at 29 Eastgate Street with his parents (father now recorded as born Lit Welnetham); brother Arthur J; sisters Ethel May [9], Aggie N [7] and Lilly B [1]

1911 census...Aged 21, a labourer, he was at 29A Eastgate Street with his parents (father now recorded as born Bury St.Edmunds again); brother Harry George [29] (painter decorator), James Arthur (labourer) and Sidney Claude Arthur [8]; sisters Ethel May, Aggie Nellie and Lily Blanche. His mother had lost 60f her 13 children.

He married Mary


He enlisted in Sheffield on 3rd September 1914, a labourer, born Bury St.Edmunds, giving his age as 24 years 1 day. He joined the King's Own Scottish Borders at Berwick on 4th September. Next of kin father Harry Meekins of 29a Eastgate Street, Bury St.Edmunds. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighed 141 lbs, chest 36.5 to 39.5 inches, brown eyes, brown hair, Church of England, had served in Territorials.Promoted A Cpl 19/10/1914 and Lance Sgt 1/3/1915.
Struck on back of head by shell explosion on 11th April 1916 at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Then via 45 Field Ambulance, 33 Casualty Clearing Station and 10 General Hospital Rouen before evacuation on 2nd June 1916 to UK and operated on at Cardiff in September 1916, then went to Denmark Hill for 23 days before going to Mile End Military Hospital. He had 8 months in hospital before being discharged on 22nd March 1917.

He died in King Edward Memorial Hospital, Ealing.





Alec Meekins is buried in Bury St.Edmunds Cemetery 71:236

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


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