Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Barradell Clarkson a boot trade warehouseman, born in the October quarter of 1868 in Leicester (son of David Clarkson, 1840-1889 and Mary Ann Barradell, 1844) and his wife Clara Clarkson (nee Dalby, married in the April quarter of 1891 in Leicester), born in the January quarter of 1868 in Leicester. Alfred Edward was born in the April quarter of 1896 in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 57, Bakewell Street, Leicester.
In April 1911 Alfred was employed as a boot warehouse examiner and was residing in the family home at Park Road, Blaby, Leics., together with his father, a boot warehouse traffic manager and his mother, also residing with the family were Alfred’s paternal uncles, Alfred Clarkson, a draughtman, born on the 27th October 1873 in Birmingham, Warwickshire and Thomas Mountford Clarkson, a house painter, born in the July quarter of 1869 in Leicester.
Alfred died of wounds he received at Flers, France.
Alfred enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 14th February 1916 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 27311. He gave his age as 19 years 349 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as warehouseman. He gave his present address as Willoughby Road, Blaby, Leicestershire.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 19 years 349 days, height 5-feet 4 inches and chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches. The following distinctive marks were noted, nil.
He gave his next of kin as his father, John Clarkson, Willoughby Road, Blaby, Leicester.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Attested. In Leicester. 14/2/16.
Transferred. To Army Reserve. 14/2/16.
Mobilised. 13/4/16.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 13/4/16.
Posted. To 12th Infantry Brigade Depot, France. 27/7/16.
Posted. To 9th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 25/8/16.
Wounded in action. In the Field.
Admitted. To 38th Casualty Clearing Station.
Died of wounds. 29/9/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 11/2/16 – 26/7/16. 166 days.
France. 27/7/16 – 29/9/16. 65 days
Total Service. 231 days.
He was awarded the 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: 25 Sep-16 - The morning was spent in making final preparations for attack. Enemy shelling not heavy and a few casualties were sustained. At 12.35pm waves were formed up in front of trenches. At 12.37pm the advance commenced, “C” and “D” Companies in extended order, “A” and “B” Companies in artillery formation, enemy immediately commenced an extremely intense and deep barrage. At 12.45pm the first two platoons of “D” Company reached GIRD TRENCH, but sustained heavy casualties. All the Company officers becoming casualties, 2nd Lieutenant A. E. PETER, 2nd Lieutenant W. S. GILBERT, Company Sergeant Major POTTERTON were all killed, 2nd Lieutenant CLARK was wounded. The remnants of the first 2 waves of “C” Company reached GIRD TRENCH, but owing to machine gun fire from the right, and the Brigade on the right, having failed to take GIRD TRENCH, the party were all killed or wounded. 2nd Lieutenant RENNIE was killed in GIRD TRENCH, Lieutenant HENWOOD was wounded. Captain WEBB wheeled the 3rd and 4th waves of “C” Company and formed a defensive flank down SUNKEN ROAD facing right. At 1.00pm Captain WEBB was wounded and Company Sergeant Major RHODES was killed. “C” Company suffered extremely heavy casualties from machine gun fire. “A” and “B” Companies advanced and established themselves in NEW TRENCH, BULL TRENCH and PATROL TRENCH and shell holes in the rear. Battalion Headquarters advanced from LEWIS TRENCH to PATROL TRENCH. At 1.37pm Captain ALLBERRY led “A” Company forward but was immediately killed by machine gun fire from the right flank. Lieutenant HARDY, 2nd Lieutenant LEWIS, Company Sergeant Major RICE and many of Company becoming casualties through the same cause. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG was wounded in the arm in PATROL TRENCH. At 1.37pm Battalion Headquarters advanced to BULL TRENCH. At 2.00pm the remainder of Battalion Headquarters viz: Lieutenant Colonel HAIG, Captain POPHAM (8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT), Lieutenant TOOTH and 3 orderlies advanced to NEW TRENCH. Captain POPHAM and the 3 orderlies were wounded. At 2.35pm the advance hung up on account of machine gun fire and rifle fire. Enemy still occupying GIRD TRENCH on right of SUNKEN ROAD. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG and Lieutenant TOOTH advanced to NEW TRENCH and finding it empty, crossed over to GOAT TRENCH. Only dead and wounded men were found in GOAT TRENCH, accordingly Lieutenant Colonel HAIG and Lieutenant TOOTH in anticipation that the front two Companies had reached GIRD TRENCH, again advanced to PILGRIMS WAY where 40 other ranks of the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were found without any officer. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG decided to remain and hold on with the 40 other ranks until reinforcements arrived to clear GIRD TRENCH on right. At 3.00pm connection with 55th Division in GIRD TRENCH on the left of PILGRIMS WAY was established. A bombing group of 8th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT was organised and bombed down GIRD TRENCH on the right of PILGRIMS WAY for 50 or 60 yards. Many of the enemy were killed and 12 were taken prisoner. Owing to the lack of bombs, a block was established, and a Lewis gun posted near the block. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG sent numerous reports on the situation to Brigade Headquarters, only two of which reached Brigade, the orderlies being either killed or wounded. Heavy shelling all the time. At 8.00pm connection with Brigade was established through 2nd Lieutenant KELLY. During the night the ROYAL ENGINEERS constructed a strong point at N.32.a.1.9. The night was spent digging in and consolidating position. The enemy seemed to be working round behind PILGRIMS WAY, but did not attack. From zero (12.35pm) to 5.30pm, the enemy kept up a heavy and very deep barrage becoming intense at times.
The War Diary records: 26 Sep-16 - At 6.00am A tank supported by a bombing party of the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT cleared GIRD TRENCH, on the right of PILGRIMS WAY, taking over 350 prisoners. At 8.00am patrols from the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and “A” and “B” Companies, went forward into GEUDECOURT and reported the village clear of the enemy. The remainder of “C” and “D” Company occupied GIRD TRENCH. At 2.00pm Major BENT reported at Battalion Headquarters with orders from the General that the Battalion was to withdraw to BULL TRENCH and PATROL TRENCH, which was carried out at 6.00pm. Intermittent shelling throughout the day, becoming intense at about 11.00am and 3.00pm. At 11.00pm Battalion had orders to withdraw to SWITCH and GAP TRENCHES, which was successfully carried out by 2.00am without casualties.
The War Diary records: 27 – 30 Sep-16 - Spent in consolidating trenches. Battalion found carrying parties from Brigade Headquarters to GEUDECOURT nightly. Battalion relieved on the night of the 1st/2nd October by the 6th EAST KENT REGIMENT by 1.00am. Assembled at bivouac area BERNEFAY WOOD. Casualties from the 24th September to the 1st October, 12 officers and 274 other ranks.
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