Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Samuel Wesson, an ironstone quarry worker, born 1864 in Holwell, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Jane Wesson (nee Sharp, married in the 4th quarter of 1887 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1867 in Newark, Nottinghamshire. Alfred was born in the 3rd quarter of 1897 in Holwell, his siblings were, George Samuel, born 1889, Ellen, born 1891, Mary Elizabeth, born 1892, Frederick, born 1894, William, born 1895, Sarah Alice, born 1900 and Annie, born 1901, all his siblings were born in Holwell, also residing with the family was Alfred’s widowed paternal grandfather, Samuel Wesson, a general agricultural labourer, born 1831 in Harby, Leicestershire and his paternal Uncle, Frederick Wesson, a quarry company locomotive brake man, born 1869 in Holwell, in March 1901 the family home was at Landyke Lane, Holwell. In April 1911 Alfred was employed as a farm boy and was residing in the family home at Landyke Lane, Holwell, together with his father, a farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Ellen, Frederick, a stone quarry horse driver, William, a brickyard labourer, Sarah, a schoolgirl, Annie, a schoolgirl, twins Louisa, a schoolgirl and Lily, a schoolgirl, born 1904, Annice Jane, born 1906 and John Edward, born 1908, the latter four siblings were all born in Holwell, also residing with the family was Alfred’s paternal Uncle, Frederick Wesson, an ironstone labourer.
Alfred attested into the Territorial Force to serve 4 years Service in the United Kingdom on the 6th November 1914 in Newark, Nottinghamshire. He gave his place of birth as Holwell, Melton Mowbray, Leicester, his age as 18 years and his trade or calling as labourer. He gave his current employer as Smiths Saw Mills, Newark, and his present home address as Bathley, Newark. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Samuel Wesson of Holwell, Melton Mowbray as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7½ inches in height, and he had a chest measurement of between 31 and 33½ inches. His vision was described as normal and his physical development as good. He was pronounced fit for the Territorial Force on the 6th November 1914 in Newark, Nottinghamshire. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters) as a Private, service number 2949 on the 6/11/14. Posted to the 2/8th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment on the 6/11/14. Transferred to the 1/8th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment and embarked from Southampton to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 28/6/15. Disembarked Rouen, France on the 29/6/15. Joined his unit in the field on the 18/8/15. Wounded in action (gunshot wound to the abdomen) in the field on the 12/9/15. Died of wounds received in action on the 12/9/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 6/11/14 – 27/6/15, 234 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 28/6/15 – 12/9/15, 77 days. Total service 311 days. Alfred was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Alfred’s father Samuel Wesson on the 15th May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by E. P. Dowdney, Clerk in Holy Orders, Ab Kettleby Vicarage, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Samuel Wesson of Landyke Lane, Holwell. Mother of soldier, Sarah J. Wesson of Landyke Lane, Holwell. Full blood brothers of soldier, George Samuel Wesson, age 31 serving in the Army, Frederick Wesson, age 25 of Landyke Lane, Holwell, William Wesson, age 22 of Holwell, John E. Wesson, age 11 of Landyke Lane, Holwell. Full blood sisters of soldier, Ellen Hayes, age 28 of Newark on Trent, Elizabeth Farenden, age 27 of Newark on Trent, Alice Wesson, age 19 of Grantham, Annie Wesson age 18 of Grantham, Louisa Wesson, age 15 of Landyke Lane, Holwell, Lily Wesson, age 15 of Landyke Lane, Holwell and Annice J. Wesson, age 13 of Landyke Lane, Holwell.
The War Diary records: 12 Sept-15 – Considerable movement of enemy transport was heard throughout the night. At 5.00am sounds were heard which seemed to be dumping of girders. Work done consisted mainly of repairing parapet and parados in places where they had collapsed. The enemy shouted across at several times during the day opposite 32. Opposite 31 at 8.00am several looked over the parapet they wore grey caps with red headbands. Enemy appeared to be working busily all day – sounds of hammering and pumping frequently heard. Several German periscopes were smashed opposite 31 and 32. Enemy aeroplanes were observed firing short bursts of Machine Gun fire when no target was visible.
On Friday September 24th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – HOLWELL. – SOLDIER KILLED. On Tuesday morning Mr. and Mrs. Wesson, of Landyke lane, Holwell received the sad news that their son, Pte. Alfred Wesson, had been killed in action at the front. Last week they received news that he was wounded which was followed by the sad news of his death. The deceased was a promising young fellow, and his sad death at the early age of 18 years has created widespread regret amongst his acquaintances. The sympathy of the whole of the parishioners goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Wesson in their sad bereavement.