Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Michael G. Rourke, a shoe trade pressman, born 1866 in Northampton and his wife Annie Maria Rourke (nee Trueman, married in the 1st quarter of 1887 in the Leicester district), born 1868 in Leicester. Alfred William, a boot and shoe factory general helper was born in the 3rd quarter of 1887 in Leicester, his siblings were, Lizzie, a biscuit packer, born 1889 in Leicester, Annie, born 1893, Bertie, born 1896 and Ernest, born in the 2nd quarter of 1899, the latter three siblings were all born in South Wigston, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at 64, Bassett Street, South Wigston. In April 1911 Alfred was employed as a shoe trade pressman and was residing in the family home at 26, Bassett Street, South Wigston, together with his father, a shoe trade pressman, his mother and siblings, Joseph a shoe trade heel builder, born in the 4th quarter of 1890 in Leicester, Bertie, a shoe trade skiver, Ernest, a schoolboy and Beatrice, a schoolgirl, born 1902 in South Wigston, also residing with the family was Alfred’s nephew, George Alfred Swanwick, born 1908 in Blaby, Leicestershire. Alfred William married Gertrude Marshall in the 4th quarter of 1916 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district. Alfred’s younger brother’s Joseph died in 1921 and Ernest was killed in action in 1918.
The War Diary records: 21 Jun-17 - RED MILL. Accidental gassing of “C” Company by ROYAL ENGINEERS, cylinders of gas fell in our line. Casualties 3 officers and 91 other ranks of whom 22 died.