MANSFIELD, Albert


No.2923. Private, Albert MANSFIELD
Aged 22


2nd/1st Battalion, Suffolk Yeomanry,
(Duke of York's Own Loyal Hussars)
Died by Accident on Thursday, 16th November 1916


Albert Mansfield was born in West Wickham (Linton Q3-1894 2B:475) son of William and Elizabeth MANSFIELD (née HOWE). He was baptised a Primitive Methodist on 15th October 1894.

1901 census...Aged 6, he was "near the Green", West Wickham with his father William MANSFIELD [51] farm labourer; his mother Elizabeth [44] born Balsham; sisters Agnes [9] and Alice [8]; brother William [4]. All except his mother were born in West Wickham.

1911 census...Aged 16, a farm labourer, he was at West Wickham ( now part of Maltings House, 1 Burton End) with his parents, brother William (farm labourer) and nephews George HOWE [8] and Charlie HOWE [6], both born in West Wickham.
This census records 8 siblings, all surviving, but they have not all been traced, just the four above. His mother seems to have been in the Linton Union workhouse for the 1881 census, single, with two children Flora [3] and Naomi [1].



He enlisted in Haverhill. His military history is confusing. The "Soldier Effects" record has him killed in action, legatees Mother Elizabeth, half sister Naomi, brother William. The legatee information confirms his civilian identity with this soldier. Problem is that if he was killed in action, he would not be buried in West Wickham. To confuse us even more he has a medal index card indicating he was abroad by 12th September 1914 whereas the history of the Yeomanry has them sailing from Liverpool on 25th September on SS "Olympic" bound for Gallipoli
The answer, although incomplete, is contained in the burial records. He was buried on 20th November 1916 in West Wickham having been killed by an accidental discharge of machine gun bullets when serving with the 2nd/1st Battalion at Warren Heath Camp, Purdis Farm, Ipswich. (Woodbridge Q4-1916 4A:1228).
Another conundrum is that his number was not issued in the 2nd/1st Yeomanry until sometime in 1915, perhaps he was initially in another unit and transferred to the Yeomanry later.





photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



Albert Mansfield is buried in West Wickham (St Mary's) Churchyard, east of church

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


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