Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Samuel Wood, a quarry worker, born 1863 in Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire, and his wife Eliza (Lizzie) Wood (nee Carter, married in the 3rd quarter of 1883 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district), born 1864 in Leicester. George Alfred was born in the 3rd quarter of 1890 in Coalville, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Louisa Ellen, a schoolgirl, born 1884, John Henry, a schoolboy, born 1886 and Joseph, born 1889, all his siblings were born in Coalville, in April 1891 the family home was at Hugglescote Lane, Hugglescote, Leicestershire. In March 1901, Alfred was absent from the family home at Vaughan Street, Charnwood Terrace, Coalville, residing there was his father, a coal miner, charge man, his mother and siblings, Louisa, a wool mill winder, John, a steam hammer driller, Joseph, Thomas, born 1892, Martha, born 1893 and Winifred Nellie, born 1099, the latter three siblings were all born in Coalville, Alfred was residing at Highfield Street, Coalville, this being the family home of his paternal grandparents, William Wood, a colliery worker, born 1834 in Newbold Verdon, and his wife Mary Wood, born 1838 in Narborough, Leicestershire, and their son Joseph Wood, a colliery worker, born 1884 in Hugglescote. In April 1911 Alfred was employed as a shop assistant and was residing in the family home at 111, Belvoir Road, Coalville, together with his father a coal miner, his mother and siblings, Thomas, an engineer’s fitter, Martha, a dressmaker and Winifred, a schoolgirl. Although officially recorded at birth as George Alfred, he was always known by his second Christian name of Alfred.
Alfred attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve) on the 11th December 1915 in Coalville. He gave his home address as 111, Belvoir Road, Coalville, his age as 25 years and 180 days and his trade or calling as postman and fishmonger. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Sam Wood of 111, Belvoir Road, Coalville as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 9 inches in height, weighed 144 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches. He gave his religion as Wesleyan. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 25019 on the 9/2/16 – 11/2/16. Posted to Partington on the 12/2/16. He was certified as a Signaller 1st Class on the 20/10/16. He embarked from Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 14/12/16. Joined the Depot of the 12th Infantry Brigade on the 15/12/16. Posted to the 7th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 19/12/16. Posted to the 8th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 30/12/16. Joined the 8th Battalion in the field on the 31/12/16. Killed in action on the 1/10/17. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 9/2/16 – 14/12/16. British Expeditionary Force, France, 15/12/16 – 1/10/17. Alfred’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary Records: 1 Oct-17 - FRONT LINE. The night was extremely quiet, the absence of hostile shelling was particularly noticeable. At 5.30am a heavy hostile barrage was placed on the front line, and 100 yards west of the road in J.10.a. central. This was maintained until 6.00am when it became evident that a hostile counter attack on the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT was in progress. The S.O.S. was sent up by the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT on the right, also by this Battalion, and a heavy barrage was placed on and in front of the enemy lines. Heavy Lewis gun and rifle fire was immediately brought to bear on the threatened flank. A few minutes after 6.00am, a message was received from the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT that the enemy had gained possession of their front line. About 6.30am, small parties of the enemy were seen about JOIST FARM J.10.d.2.0. moving by short rushes towards our right front line Company and threatening to turn the right flank of the Battalion. Heavy Lewis gun and rifle fire was opened on the enemy, who suffered casualties and were unable to make any progress down the slope towards the front line. About this time the intensity of our barrage lessened, and towards 7.00am ceased altogether. Between 7.00 and 10.30am the enemy made repeated attempts to advance against the open flank of the Battalion, but was driven back on each occasion by rifle and Lewis gun fire. During this period it was found that the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT had been reinforced by two Companies of the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT and were holding the line of the road running north and south in J.10.a. A defensive flank was formed from the right flank of “B” Company J.10.d.35.50. to Battalion HQ at J.10.c.5.5. The right support Company (“A”) moved up to the road and linked up with Battalion HQ on the left, and the left Company of the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT on the right. At 10.15am Captain J. B. MATTHEWS with the left support company (“D”) moved from its position J.10.a.3.2 in order to make a counter attack against the enemy holding the high ground in the vicinity of JOIST FARM. Unfortunately Captain J. B. MATTHEWS M.C. was killed instantly by a sniper when making a personal reconnaissance preparatory to the attack, and at 10.30am the hostile artillery put down a heavy barrage on the east side of POLYGON WOOD consequently this counter thrust did not materialise. This heavy hostile barrage was kept up until 1.00pm at which hour the shelling ceased, but no further hostile attack took place. At 2.00pm small parties of the enemy were seen moving about the south west edge of JETTY WARREN, but were dispersed by rifle fire, Shortly afterwards a hostile machine gun opened traversing fire along the road in J.10.c. central, and Lt. Col. UTTERSON D.S.O. was hit in the arm by a bullet. At 3.10pm a determined effort was made by the enemy 10 or 12 strong to move down the slope from JOIST FARM towards Battalion HQ but the attempt was stopped by rifle fire from the Battalion HQ concrete emplacement, the enemy retiring and leaving several dead behind them. No further attempt to advance was made by the enemy and the remainder of the afternoon passed quietly. At 6.10pm the S.O.S. signal was put up by the Brigade on the right and an exceptionally heavy barrage was placed on the enemy lines by our artillery. No hostile attack developed and at 8.00pm the barrage ceased. At 8.05pm the enemy attempted a counter attack against the ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS on the left. The S.O.S. was again sent up and a second barrage of an hour’s duration was placed on enemy lines. The counter attack was beaten back with loss to the enemy. The remainder of the night passed quietly and at dawn a protective barrage was formed by our artillery lasting for 15 minutes.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday October 19th, 1917

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Mr and Mrs S. Wood, of Highfields Street, Coalville have received news that their son, Private Alf Wood, of the Leicesters, has been killed in action. A chaplain writes, “I am very sorry to tell you that your son, Private A. Wood, was killed in action on October 1st. He died a glorious death, doing his duty up to the very last. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your great sorrow, and may God comfort you and help you to bear the heavy cross He has laid upon you.” The deceased soldier was 27 years of age and single. Before the war he carried on the business of a fishmonger at Belvoir Road, Coalville and also acted as auxiliary postman. He was a prominent Good Templar, and had held various offices in the J. S. Vorley Lodge. His father is a miner employed at the Ibstock Colliery. Mr and Mrs Wood have another soldier son, who was one of the first in Coalville to win the D.C.M.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 9th, 1917

THANKS

Mr and Mrs S. Wood and Family desire to thank all friends for their kind messages of sympathy in their great sorrow by the death of their dear son, Alfred, who was killed in action on October 1st.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 9th, 1917.

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Pte. Alf Wood, Leicestershire Regiment, killed in action in France, October 1st, 1917.

“He is gone like a flower, cut down in his bloom,
From the sunshine of life to the shades of the tomb.
But death cannot sever the chains of our love,
Of still the fond promise, we’ll meet him above.”

From his sorrowing Fiancée, E. Henman, Loughborough.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 27th, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In ever loving memory of Alfred, the dearly-loved son of Sam and Lizzie Wood, of 60, Highfields, who fell in action, October 1st, 1917.

“He left his home in perfect health
He looked so strong and brave
We little thought how soon he’d be
Laid in a hero’s grave.

He gives us the dear old smile
From his photo on the wall
And we feel our hearts will break
When fond memories we recall.

We know not what he suffered
We never saw him die,
We only know he passed away
And never said “Good-bye”

From his loving Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers

Coalville Times article - Friday October 4th, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Pte. Alf Wood, Leicestershire Regiment, killed in action in France on the morning of October 2nd, 1917.

“I shall not forget him, I loved him too dearly,
For his memory to fade from me just like a dream
Our lips need not speak when our hearts mourn sincerely
For grief often dwells where it seldom is seen.”

From his sorrowing Fiancée, E. Henman, Loughborough

Coalville Times article - Friday February 14th, 1919

PROPOSED MEMORIAL AND THANKSGIVING FUND

Meetings are being held throughout the Ashby Wesleyan Circuit, to consider the inauguration of a war memorial and thanksgiving fund, and there was a gathering for this purpose in the Coalville Wesleyan Chapel on Saturday night, when Mr C. H. March presided over a fairly good attendance.

The details of the scheme are set forth in a circular which is being issued, and of which the following is a copy.

“To celebrate the end of the ‘great war’ and the coming of ‘peace’ the quarterly meeting of the Circuit decided by a unanimous vote to inaugurate a great ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund.’ The nation in the hours of danger has not counted any sacrifice of blood or treasure too great to hasten the time when all that we hold dear should be made secure from an unscrupulous foe. That end has been achieved. The victory is ours. In token of our gratitude to Almighty God, we desire to raise this ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund’ to enable the churches in this Circuit more efficiently to carry on, and extend the Kingdom of God. We suggest that contributions may be given as a thank-offering for loved ones spared, or in memory of dear ones who have laid down their lives for us. There are also large numbers in the Circuit, who, because of the importance of their work, have escaped the horrors of the battlefield, and will be able to give substantially in thankful recognition of their privileges. Everyone, indeed, has received great blessing through the ministry of our church, and the debt we owe to our beloved Methodism is greater than we can tell. Therefore, we earnestly appeal to all our people to give hearty and generous support to the ‘Memorial and Thanksgiving Fund’. The first claim upon the income of the fund will be the clearing of the debt upon the Circuit houses, which amounts to £1,000, thus saving £44 per year in interest. The remainder of the income will be held at the disposal of the Circuit quarterly meeting for the benefit of the work of God in the Circuit. – William Hooper, William H. Wardle, B.A., and William Solomon (ministers), J. P. Adcock, J. P. (treasurer); W. J. Plowright and C. H. March (secretaries).”

During the meeting, Mr T. Frith read the Roll of Honour, which contained 99 names formerly connected with the church and Sunday School. Two have won the D.C.M. – Harry Beard and Edwin Collier – and four the Military Medal, these being Tom Palmer, Tom Wood, George Wildgoose and Walter Lewis.

Twenty had made the supreme sacrifice – Cecil A. Bradshaw, Ernest Batho, Geo. Beale, Sydney Dodds, Walter Fantom, John Hall, Horace Hall, Jess Jones, Wilfred Jones, Fred Hart, Arthur Johnson, Walter Lewis, M.M., Harry Lewis, William Setchell, Sam Smith, Tom Usherwood, Willie Wells, Alf Wood, Albert Essex and Tom Wild.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 3rd, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In ever loving memory of my dear sweetheart, Private Alf Wood, who was killed in action, October 1st, 1917.

“I miss him and mourn him,
In silence, unseen;
And dwell on the happiness
Of what might have been.

I had hoped for his safe returning,
Once more to clasp his hand,
But God has postponed the meeting,
Till we meet in the Better Land.”

From his sorrowing Fiancée, E. Henman, Loughborough.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 24/12/2017