Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Samuel Poole, a baker, born 1863 in Lutterworth, Leicestershire and his wife Elizabeth Poole (nee Archer, married on the 16th February 1886 in St. George’s Church, Leicester), born 1861 in Sandridge, Hertfordshire. Alfred Henry was born on the 2nd March 1894 in Lutterworth and was baptised on the 1st April 1894 in St. Mary’s Church, Lutterworth, his siblings were, George William, a baker assisting in the business, born in the 1st quarter of 1887 and baptised on the 13th March 1887 in St. Mary’s Church, Lutterworth, Frank Archer, born on the 22nd June 1889 and baptised on the 21st July 1889 in St. Mary’s Church, Lutterworth, Samuel Ernest, born on the 14th June 1896 and baptised on the 5th August 1896 in St. Mary’s Church, Lutterworth and Florence Annie, born on the 6th July 1898 and baptised on the 21st August 1898 in St. Mary’s Church, Lutterworth, all his siblings were born in Lutterworth, in March 1901 the family home was in Church Street, Lutterworth. In April 1911 Alfred was employed as a grocer’s assistant and was residing in the family home at New Street, Lutterworth, together with his father, a baker, his mother and siblings, Samuel, a hosiery trade assistant packer, Florence, a schoolgirl and Harold Joseph, born on the 21st October 1902 in Lutterworth and baptised on the 30th November 1902 in St. Mary’s Church, Lutterworth.
Alfred enlisted/attested into Regular Army on the 28th November 1916 in Coalville, and was allotted the service number 2074. He gave his age as 22 years 260 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as grocer’s clerk. He gave his present address as Bitteswell, Near Lutterworth.
His medical examination recorded his apparent age as 22 years and 260 days, that he was 5 feet 9½ inches in height and had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35½ inches. The following distinctive marks were noted, scar on brow.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Samuel Poole, Bitteswell, Near Lutterworth.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Enlisted. For General Service. Pte. 28/11/16.
Called up for Service. 28/11/16.
Posted. Household Battalion. Tpr. 30/11/16.
Appointed. Acting Corporal unpaid. 2/1/17.
Posted. Household Battalion. Tpr. 26/3/17.
Wounded. Left thigh. 10/10/17.
Transferred. 3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards. Pte. Allotted service number 22680. 28/3/18.
To retain Household Cavalry rate of pay. Auth. W.O. Letter No. 20/Infantry/1058 (A.G.2.A) Dated 7/1/18.
Taken Prisoner of War. Germany. 14/4/18.
Died of Wounds. in Royal Fortress Hospital, Cologne. Pte. 4/5/18.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 28/11/16 – 25/3/17. 118 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 26/3/17 – 4/5/18. 1 year 39 days.
Total Service. 1 year 157 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Alfred’s surviving service record amounts to a total of seven pages, of which all pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in good condition and offer an accurate overall description of some of the events that took place during his period of his military service.
Footnote to the service record: A separate German communication recorded that he was taken as a Prisoner of War on the 12th April 1918 near Merville, France, having been wounded in the back and foot, it also documents him as serving with number 1 Company, II platoon of the 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards, and his date of birth as the 25th March 1893, and his second Christian name as Samuel, both of the latter being incorrect. Arthur died twenty two days later in the Royal Fortress Hospital in Cologne, Germany and was buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery.
The War Diary records: 12 Apr-18 – TRENCHES. 2.30am. Battalion moved forward and took up position. Our right on to EPINETTE and in touch on left with 4th GRENADIER GUARDS at LE CORNET PERDU. Had orders to side step to right to gain touch with 50th Division Line of posts at K.16.a.9.3. No troops of 50th Division in front as originally reported. Eventually reached position at dawn. Dispositions as follows; No. “1” Company Right Front, “3” Company Centre, “4” Company Left Front, “2” Company in support South East of ARREWAGE. At daybreak heavy fire opened by hostile Field Guns.
8.00am. Large numbers of enemy reported advancing all along our front, but was repulsed by rifle and Machine Gun fire. News received that enemy had driven 50th Division back North of LA BOURRE RIVER.
11.00am. No. “1” Company attacked to take the COLLEGE with No’s “3” and “4” Company’s ready to conform with the advance. Heavy opposition met with withering cross fire from rifles and Machine Guns from houses in LES PURESBECQUES and orchards South West of VIERHOUCK. Owing to severe casualties our advance was impossible after 400 yards and this Company (now 40 all told) held their ground till 3.00pm. Then fell back to original positions. 50th Division posts on No. “1” Company’s right flank disappeared. At 3.30pm enemy endeavoured to outflank them at this point but was repulsed and Company withdrew in direction of PONT TOURNANT. Captain FOSTER with some of “2” Company and IRISH GUARDS now counter-attacked in a gap which had occurred and succeeded in restoring original line.
4.20pm. After heavy barrage enemy attacked centre Company but was heavily repulsed. At dusk remains on “1” Company relieved by troops of 5th Division and withdrew to DUKE OF CORNWALLS LIGHT INFANTRY Trench South West of ARREWAGE. Battalion Headquarters moved to central position at FME. BEAULIEU. Quiet night. Rations and Ammunition reached Companies.
Casualties during the day: Wounded Captain FOSTER, 2nd Lieutenant MERRIMAN, 2nd Lieutenant SCOTT, Lieutenant BAPHAIL. Other Ranks. Killed 14. Wounded 77. Missing 9.