Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Woolston, a general labourer, born on the 23rd February 1858 in Rothley, Leicestershire and baptised on the 21st March 1858 in SS. Mary & John Church, Rothley and his wife Harriett Woolston (nee Antill, married on the 5th November 1878 in Christ Church, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire), born in the 4th quarter of 1857 in Mountsorrel. Alfred was born in the 3rd quarter of 1896 in Mountsorrel and was baptised on the 23rd August 1896 in Christ Church, Mountsorrel, his siblings were, Keziah, an elastic trade weaver, born in the 2nd quarter of 1879 and baptised on the 27th April 1879 in Christ Church, Mountsorrel, Ellen Elizabeth, an elastic trade weaver, born in the 4th quarter of 1880 and baptised on the 2nd January 1881 in Christ Church, Mountsorrel, Susanna, an elastic trade weaver, born on the 23rd September 1882 and baptised on the 29th October 1882 in Christ Church, Mountsorrel, George Harry, a granite quarry worker, born in the 1st quarter of 1885 and baptised on the 5th April 1885 in Christ Church, Mountsorrel, Ethel, a Griswold worker, born in the 2nd quarter of 1887 and baptised on the 5th June 1887 in Christ Church, Mountsorrel, John William, born on the 23rd November 1889 and baptised on the 29th December 1889 in Christ Church, Mountsorrel, Ernest, born on the 25th May 1893 and baptised on the 23rd July 1893 in Christ Church, Mountsorrel and Doris, born on the 28th November 1900 and baptised on the 7th April 1901 in Christ Church, Mountsorrel, all his siblings were born in Mountsorrel, in March 1901 the family home was The Green, Mountsorrel. In April 1911 Alfred was employed as a boot trade inker, and was residing in the family home at The Green, Mountsorrel together with his father, a baker’s labourer, his mother and siblings, Ethel, a Griswold worker, John, a boot trade worker, Ernest, a boot trade worker and Doris, a schoolgirl. Alfred’s older brother George, fell in action on the 25th September 1916.
Alfred enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 27th May 1914 in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire, and was allotted the service number 1925. He gave his place of birth as Mountsorrel, Loughborough, Leicestershire and age as 18 years. He gave his trade or calling as shoe hand, his current employer being Mr. Smith. He gave his present address as The Green, Mountsorrel.
His medical examination took place in Mountsorrel on the 26th May 1914 and recorded that he was 5 feet 6 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 31 and 33 inches and his physical development was described as fair.
He gave his next of kin as his father, John Woolston and his mother, Mrs. Woolston, 6, The Green, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 27/5/14.
Embodied service commenced. 5/8/14.
Embarked. Per S.S. Petersburgh at Southampton. To join the British Expeditionary Force, France. 25/6/15. Disembarked. At Rouen, France. 26/6/15.
Admitted. To hospital sick. 20/7/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 21/9/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 27/5/14 – 24/6/15. 1 year 29 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 25/6/15 – 21/9/15. 89 days.
Total Service. 1 year 118 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Alfred’s surviving service record amounts to a total of twelve pages, of which only six pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in poor condition with much of the hand written information in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 21 Sept-15 - TRENCHES. Between 7.00 and 10.00pm a fire observed about 50 yards in front of 50 left.
On Monday, October 4th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Three Mountsorrel Men Killed. -Information has been received at Mountsorrel that Sergeant John Burham and Private G. Street have been killed in action in Flanders. Both young men belonged to the 1/5 Leicestershire Territorial’s. Sergeant Burnham, who joined the Territorial’s some time previous to the outbreak of the war, was well known and respected in the village, and much sympathy is felt with his parents, who reside in Hawcliffe-road. Burnham was 28 years of age, and was with Mr. M. Webster, building contractor, for a number of years. Private Street’s parents reside in Watling-street. He was 21 years of age, and was an employee of the Mountsorrel Granite Company. On the receipt of the sad news flags were flying half mast at the works of the company. Private Alf Woolston, of the 1/5 Leicestershire Regiment, is also reported to have fallen a victim to a sniper. His two brothers, who were with him at the time, have been allowed a few days leave from the trenches to visit their parents, who reside on the Green. The unfortunate lad was only 19 years of age, and was previously employed at the Quarries. Many expressions of sympathy have been extended towards the parents in their sad loss.
On Friday October 8th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – THREE MOUNTSORREL MEN KILLED. Information has been received at Mountsorrel that Sergeant John Burnham and Private G. Street have been killed in action in Flanders. Both young men belonged to the 1/5th Leicestershire Territorials. Sergeant Burnham, who joined the Territorials some time previous to the outbreak of the war, was well known and respected in the village, and much sympathy is felt with his parents, who reside at Hawcliffe road. Burnham was 28 years of age, and was with Mr. F. Webster, building contractor, for a number of years. Private Street’s parents reside in Watling street. He was 21 years of age, and was an employee of the Mountsorrel Granite Company. On the receipt of the sad news flags were flying half mast at the works of the company. Private Alf Woolston, of the 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment, is reported to have fallen victim to a sniper. His two brothers who were with him at the time have been allowed a few days leave from the trenches to visit their parents, who reside on the Green. The unfortunate lad was only 19 years of age, and was previously employed at the Quarries. Many expressions of sympathy have been extended towards the parents in their loss.
On Thursday, October 14th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – ROLL OF HONOUR. – LOCAL CASUALIES – Private ALFRED WOOLSTON, of the 1/5 Leicestershire Regiment, has been killed somewhere in France. Deceased whose two brothers are with the colours, was 19 years of age, and was one of the first of the men of Mountsorrel to volunteer for active service. He was previously employed with the Mountsorrel Granite Company, who showed their sympathy by flying flags half-mast at their works on the receipt of the sad news.
On Friday October 15th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – THREE MOUNTSORREL SOLDIERS KILED. Sergeant John E. Burnham, of the 1/5th Leicestershire Territorial’s, who was killed in action at Hooge on September 25th, belonged to Mountsorrel, and was 24 years of age. He had been a member of the Soar Valley Territorial’s for some time before the outbreak of war. He was a well known worker at the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and was with Mr. Edward Webster for a number of years. Private Alfred Woolston, of the 1/5th Leicestershire Territorial’s, has been killed somewhere in France. Deceased whose two brothers are with the colours, was 19 years of age, and was one of the first of the men of Mountsorrel to volunteer for active service. He was previously employed with the Mountsorrel Granite Co., who showed their sympathy by flying their flags at half mast at their works on receipt of the sad news. Private George Street, whose parents reside in Watling-street, Mountsorrel, was killed in action in France on September 25th. He was 21 years of age, and joined the 5th Battalion Leicester Regiment on the outbreak of the war, having some time previously been in the Royal Marines. He was an old boy of St. Peter’s School, and a bugler in the local troop of B.P. Scouts. He was for the last five years employed by the School Boot Co., Mountsorrel. In a letter to his parents, the Lieutenant of the Company writes:- He was popular with all, and he will be greatly missed. He was under me from the time he joined the battalion, and all the while I have known him he proved himself a model of cheerfulness and willingness. He died as he had lived – a good soldier.
On Tuesday, October 26th,1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTER’S KILLED IN ACTION.” (With an accompanying photograph) – Pte. Alf Woolston, 5th Batt. He belonged to Mountsorrel.