Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur Statham, a coal miner, born 1859 in Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire and his wife Elizabeth Statham (nee Faux, married on the 19th February 1884 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire), born 1863 in Newbold Verdon. Alfred was born on the 21st April 1890 in Newbold Verdon, and was baptised on the 15th June 1890 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon, his siblings were, Sarah, a schoolgirl, born 1882, George Arthur, a schoolboy, born 25th March 1884, and baptised on the 25th January 1885 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon, Elijah, a schoolboy, born 5th October 1885 and baptised on the 2nd May 1886 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon, Ellen, born 10th January 1887 and baptised on the 16th July 1888 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon and Edwin, born 22nd October 1888 and baptised on the 15th June 1890 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon, all his siblings were born in Newbold Verdon, in April 1891 the family home was at Cottage, Newbold Verdon. In March 1901 Alfred was residing in the family home at Main Street, Newbold Verdon, together with his father, a colliery worker, his mother and siblings, Sarah, a domestic worker, George, a farm labourer, Elijah, a colliery horse driver, Ellen, a domestic worker, Edwin, Gertrude, born 18th August 1891 and baptised on the 17th May 1896 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon, Lucy, born 1st February 1893 and baptised on the 17th May 1896 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon, Margaret, born 9th August 1894 and baptised on the 9th July 1895 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon, Maud Mary, born 21st October 1895 and baptised on the 17th May 1896 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon, Richard, born 8th March 1897 and baptised on the 16th June 1901 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon, Elsie, born 14th September 1898 and baptised on the 16th June 1901 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon, Obadiah, born 18th December 1899 and baptised on the 16th June 1901 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon and Martha, born 5th February 1901 and baptised on the 16th June 1901 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon, the latter eight siblings were all born in Newbold Verdon. In April 1911 Alfred was employed as a coal miner and was residing in the family home in Newbold Verdon, together with his father, a colliery stall man, his mother and siblings, Maud, Richard, a farm labourer, Elsie, Obadiah, Martha, Lewis, born 17th April 1904 and baptised on the 9th May 1904 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon, Mabel, born 11th July 1905 and baptised on the 10th June 1906 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon and Frank, born 15th April 1907 and baptised on the 18th August 1907 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon, the latter three siblings were all born in Newbold Verdon. Alfred had another sibling, Isaac, who was born on the 2nd May 1902, and was baptised on the 9th August 1903 in the Parish Church, Newbold Verdon, but died soon after, he was buried on the 28th November 1903 in Newbold Verdon.
Alfred attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War) on the 29th September 1915 in Leicester. He gave his current home address as Mill Lane, Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire, his age as 25 years and 60 days and his trade or calling as collier. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Arthur Statham of Mill Lane, Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6¾ inches in height, weighed 150 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 35 and 38 inches. He had a pulse rate of 70 and his physical development was described as good. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 21248 on the 30/9/15. Posted to Barnard Castle on the 16/10/15. Posted to Rugeley Camp on the 2/11/15. Posted to the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 16/3/16. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 15/3/16. Posted to the 37th Infantry Brigade Depot at Etaples on the 15/3/16. Posted to the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 1/4/16. Joined the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 2/4/16. Admitted to the 10th Field Ambulance suffering from influenza on the 28/4/16. Admitted to 9th Field Ambulance D.R.S., on the 30/4/16. Transferred to the 41st Casualty Clearing Station on the 30/4/16. Admitted to the 1st Canadian General Hospital, Etaples on the 4/5/16. Transferred to the 6th Convalescent Camp, Etaples on the 11/5/16. Joined the 37th Infantry Brigade Depot at Etaples on the 24/5/16. Proceeded to join the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 21/6/16. Joined the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 22/6/16. Reported wounded and missing in action, in the field on the 25/9/16. Alfred was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Alfred’s father Arthur Statham on the 17th June 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Hugh Legge, Rector of Newbold Verdon, -?-, Newbold Verdon on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Alfred Statham. Mother of soldier, Elizabeth Statham, deceased. Full blood brothers of soldier, 7. Full blood sisters of soldier, 8. 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: 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.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday September 7th, 1917

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Mr and Mrs Arthur Statham, of Mill Lane, Newbold Verdon, have received official intimation that their son, Private Alfred Statham, is presumed dead after 11 months. Pte. Statham was reported missing from September 25th, 1916. Private Statham had only been back at the Front a week or so after recovering from wounds received in action on July 14th, 1916 in the Battle of Trones Wood. Prior to enlisting he was employed by the Desford Coal Company as a miner.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 19/12/2017