Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Tyers, a Midland Railway Company railway goods guard, born in the July quarter of 1854 in Stamford, Lincolnshire (son of John Tyers, 1822 and Mary Ann Clarke, 1825-1881) and his wife Ann (Annie) Tyers (nee Pridmore, married on the 3rd September1876 in St. John’s Church, Stamford), born in the July quarter of 1852 in Stamford and baptised on the 22nd August 1852 in St. John’s Church, Stamford (daughter of George Pridmore and Ann Barlow). Alfred William was born in the January quarter of 1893 in South Wigston, his siblings were, Emma Pridmore, a stocking framework knitter, born in the July quarter of 1872 and baptised on the 5th September 1875 in All Saint’s Church, Stamford, Charles, a railway good porter, born in the October quarter of 1880, Annie, a hosiery trade cutter, born in the January quarter of 1882, Fanny, a hosiery trade winder, born in the January quarter of 1884, Clara, a hosiery trade runner on, born on the 28th February 1885, Lucy, a biscuit packer, born in the July quarter of 1888 and John (Jack), born in the July quarter of 1889, the latter seven siblings were all born in Stamford and Ellen (Nellie), born in the October quarter of 1894 in South Wigston, also residing with the family was Alfred’s nephew, George Tyers, born 1900 in Wigston, in March 1901 the family home was at 26, Glen Gate. Wigston Magna, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Alfred was employed as a boot and shoe trade stockroom worker and was residing in the family home at 75, Kirkdale Road, South Wigston, together with his father, a Midland Railway Company railway goods guard, his mother and siblings, Annie, a hosiery trade machinist, Fanny, a hosiery trade machinist and Ellen, a boot and shoe trade card board box maker. Alfred also had the following siblings, George Pridmore, born in the October quarter of 1875 and baptised on the 4th February 1877 in All Saint’s Church, Stamford, Mary Ann, born in the April quarter of 1877 and baptised on the 6th May 1877 in All Saint’s Church, Stamford, John William, born in the July quarter of 1879 and William, born in the July quarter of 1886, the latter four siblings were all born in Stamford, Harry, born on the 10th March 1878 in Kettering, Northamptonshire and Sarah born in the January quarter of 1891 in South Wigston. On the 11th April 1914, Alfred married May Kirby, in All Saint’s Church, Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, May was born on the 5th July 1890 in Wigston Magna (daughter of William Clarke Kirby, 1857 and Ellen Parrinder, 1853). In the October quarter of 1920, Alfred’s widow May, married William Frank Ellard in the Blaby, Leicestershire district, she latterly resided at 9, Cedar Avenue, Wigston.
Alfred enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 7th December 1915 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 27061. He gave his age as 23 years 239 days. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as warehouse man. He gave his present address as 26, Aylestone Lane, Wigston Magna, Leicestershire.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 3rd April 1916 and recorded his declared age as 23 years 239 days, that he was 5-feet 8½ inches in height, weighed 169 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches and his physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, May Tyers, 26, Aylestone Lane, Wigston Magna.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Attested. On 7/12/15.
To Army Reserve. 8/12/15.
Mobilized. On 3/4/16.
Posted. To 12th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 3/4/16.
Embarked. 27/7/16.
Disembarked. 28/7/16.
Posted. To 12th Infantry Brigade Depot. 29/7/16.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 28/7/16.
Posted. To 6th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 27/8/16.
Joined. 6th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 27/8/16.
Killed in action. Place not stated. In the Field. 14/10/16.
Buried. Vermelles British Cemetery, France.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 7/12/15 – 26/7/16. 233 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 27/7/16 – 14/10/16. 80 days.
Total Service. 313 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On the 17th April 1917, Alfred’s widow, May was awarded a weekly Army pension of thirteen shillings and nine pence, to commence of the 30th April 1917.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 1-15 Oct-16 - HOHENZOLLERN SECTOR. Much time taken up in trying to repair damaged trenches, which are in very bad condition. Hostile minnenwerfer fire severe and the Battalion lost 3 killed and 12 wounded.