Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Litherland, born in the October quarter of 1855 in Packington, Leicestershire and baptised on the 3rd February 1856 in the Church of The Holy Rood, Packington) (son of John Litherland, 1817-1886 and Ann Middleton, 1819-1902) and his wife Mary Litherland (nee Hunt, married in the October quarter of 1877 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district), born in the October quarter of 1857 in Ashby de la Zouch and baptised on the 6th December 1857 in St. Helen’s Church, Ashby de la Zouch (daughter of Joseph Hunt and Mary Miller). Alfred was born on the 2nd December 1894 in Ashby de la Zouch and baptised on the 2nd December 1894 in Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch. Alfred’s father died aged 43 in the January quarter of 1899 in Ashby de la Zouch. Alfred’s widowed mother married widower, Herbert Smith in the January quarter of 1901 in the Ashby de la Zouch district. In March 1901 Alfred was residing in the family home at Court 8, Market Street, Ashby de la Zouch together with his step father, Herbert Smith, an earthenware grate maker, born 1859 in Woodville, Derbyshire, his mother and siblings, Maud Mary, a laundress, born in the July quarter of 1878, Alice, a general servant, born in the January quarter of 1880, Sarah Ann, born on the 31st December 1887 and baptised on the 4th March 1888 in Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch and Walter, born 18th June 1890 and baptised on the 27th July 1890 in St. Helen’s Church, Ashby de la Zouch, all his siblings were born in Ashby de la Zouch, and his step siblings, Horace Harold Smith, a colliery crossing driver, born in the October quarter of 1886 and baptised on the 5th December 1886 in Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch, Arthur Herbert Smith, born in the July quarter of 1891 and baptised on the 6th December 1891 in Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch, Percy Smith, born in the January quarter of1894 and baptised on the 5th May 1895 in Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch and Ada Elizabeth Smith, born in the January quarter of 1896 and baptised on the 4th July 1897 in Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch, all his step siblings were born in Ashby de la Zouch. In April 1911 Alfred was employed as a soap packer and was residing in the family home at Chapel Yard, The Green, Ashby de la Zouch, together with his step father, an earthenware grate maker, his mother and sibling Walter, a pipe carrier, and step siblings, Percy, a pipe carrier and Ada, a domestic worker, and a half-blood sibling, Mary Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born in the July quarter of 1903 in Ashby de la Zouch. Alfred also had two other siblings, Arthur, born in the July quarter of 1882 in Ashby de la Zouch and who died in October 1897, aged 14 years, and was interred on the 26th October in Holy Trinity Churchyard, Ashby de la Zouch and Minnie, born on the 20th October 1885 in Ashby de la Zouch. Alfred’s step brother, Percy Smith was killed in action on the 16th August 1917.
Alfred enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 21st April 1911 in Ashby de la Zouch, and was allotted the regimental service number 1138. He gave his place of birth as Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire and age as 16 years 6 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as soap maker, presently in the employ of the Hydro Company. He gave his present address as No.7, Chapel Yard, Ashby de la Zouch.
His medical inspection record gave his full name as Alfred Litherland, his apparent age as 16 years 6 months, his height as 5-foot 1 inches, his chest measurement as 28 inches to 29 inches, his vision as good and his physical development as good.
He was certified as fit for the Territorial Force. Date. 20th April 1911. Place. Ashby de la Zouch.
He gave his next of kin as his step father, Herbert Smith, mother Mrs. Mary Smith, 7, Chapel Yard, Ashby de la Zouch.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Ashby de la Zouch. 21/4/11.
Posted. To 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 21/4/11.
Attended. Annual training, High Tor Camp. 6/8/11 – 20/8/11.
Attended. Annual training. Aberystwyth. 4/8/12 – 18/8/12.
Embodied service commenced. 5/8/14.
Killed in action. In the Field. 20/11/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 21/4/11 – 27/2/15. 3 years 313 days.
France. 28/2/15 – 20/11/15. 266 days.
Total Service. 4 years 214 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records. 20 Nov-15 - Dispositions: - “D” Company firing line, “C” Company supports, “B” and “A” Companies in reserve. Lieutenant BROOKE, “D” Company took out a patrol (2 NCOs and 2 men) and visited enemy wire. He reported on its condition – good in places – enemy trenches fairly manned but water-logged.
On Monday, November 29th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Unofficial news has been received at Ashby that Private C. H. SMITH, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, has been killed in France. The news was received on Saturday by his father, Mr. T. H. Smith, of Old Park Villas, Nottingham-road in a letter from a comrade of the dead soldier, who was probably the youngest Ashby man serving, being barely 16. He was amongst the first to enlist when the war began. Private A. LITHERLAND of Chapel-yard, belonging to the 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment, has also been killed in action.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday December 3rd, 1915

Two Ashby Soldiers Killed

Unofficial news has been received at Ashby that Private C. H. Smith, 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, has been killed in France. The news was received on Saturday by his father, Mr T. H. Smith, of Old Park Villas, Nottingham Road, in a letter from a comrade of the dead soldier who was probably the youngest Ashby man serving, being barely 16. He was amongst the first to enlist when the war began. Private A. Litherland, of Chapel Yard, belonging to the 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment, has also been killed in action.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby, 11/10/2017