No.25299, Private, Alfred Jonathan HARVEY
Aged 25
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Alfred Jonathan Harvey was born in Drinkstone (2nd qtr 1892 Stow 4a:797), son of Alfred John and Sarah HARVEY (née BULLEN).
1901 census...Aged 8, he was at Cross Street, Drinkstone with his father Alfred John HARVEY [39] horseman, born Buxhall; his mother Sarah [36] born Denton, Norfolk; sisters Olive L [11] and Mildred A [10] both born Buxhall; brother Frank E [6] born Drinkstone. 1911 census...Aged 19, a labourer, he was at Cross Street, Drinkstone with his parents and brother Frank Ernest (shepherd). On the pension card his father was still at Cross Street, Drinkstone. |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds.
The war diary for 14th August 1917 has:- At 3 a.m. outposts withdrawn to west bank of STEENBEEK and formed up preparatory to an advance. "A" Coy attacking on the right with 2.5 platoons and 1.5 platoons in support, to occupy the old line of posts. 2 Platoons of "B" Coy immediately in the rear to occupy a prepared position on the W bank of STEENBEEK. "C" Coy on the ;left with 2.5 platoons and 1 platoon in support to occupy old line of posts. "At 4 a.m. the barrage came down and the advance commenced. "C" Coy obtained their objective. "A" Coy held up on the right by hostile M.G. fire from dugouts untouched by the bombardment. Enemy delivered several small attacks during the day on "A" Coy which were easily repelled by rifle fire. Intense shelling all day by enemy. At night battn relieved by 5th Dorset Regt who took up position on the W bank of the STEENBEEK our posts being withdrawn through them. Casualties 2nd Lt C S M Weldon and 2nd Lt W F Jelley wounded 20 OR killed, 63 wounded, 26 missing."
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