Pte
Alfred Horsley
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1892 |
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Place of birth: Southwark, Surrey, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Enfield, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Van guard |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 3763 |
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Enlistment place: Tottenham, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), 3rd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 14/04/1915 |
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Place of death: Broodseinde, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 23 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: Unknown Row: Unknown Grave: Mem. 13 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Alfred Horsley was the son of John and Dinah Horsley. He was born in Southwark, Surrey. Before the war, he lived in Enfield, Middlesex, and worked as a carter for brewers. Alfred enlisted in the British Army and was part of the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers (85th Brigade, 28th Division).
Alfred was killed in action on 14 April 1915, in the lead-up to the Second Battle of Ypres. On 13 April, the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers moved into trenches near Broodseinde, where they were only four yards away from the German troops. Two days later, on 15 April, the battalion was relieved and moved to the area of Sint-Jan. During those 48 hours, the German troops made use of a large trench mortar, causing severe damage and many casualties. The artillery, however, failed to neutralize the weapon. In those 48 hours, 33 men were killed and 39 wounded.
Alfred was originally buried at Zonnebeke British Cemetery No.2, along the road between Zonnebeke and Broodseinde. At that site, German troops had buried 38 Britons, including 20 soldiers of the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers. After the war, the cemetery was closed and the graves were moved to Tyne Cot Cemetery. Today, Alfred still rests there under a special memorial.
Alfred was killed in action on 14 April 1915, in the lead-up to the Second Battle of Ypres. On 13 April, the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers moved into trenches near Broodseinde, where they were only four yards away from the German troops. Two days later, on 15 April, the battalion was relieved and moved to the area of Sint-Jan. During those 48 hours, the German troops made use of a large trench mortar, causing severe damage and many casualties. The artillery, however, failed to neutralize the weapon. In those 48 hours, 33 men were killed and 39 wounded.
Alfred was originally buried at Zonnebeke British Cemetery No.2, along the road between Zonnebeke and Broodseinde. At that site, German troops had buried 38 Britons, including 20 soldiers of the 3rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers. After the war, the cemetery was closed and the graves were moved to Tyne Cot Cemetery. Today, Alfred still rests there under a special memorial.
Sources 3
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3 Battalion Royal Fusiliers. (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/2279/3). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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England & Wales, Birth Index, 1837-1915, General Register Office. https://www.gov.uk/general-register-office Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/463241 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=7082ab41-c0f2-4877-8bf5-7c82292b5304 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/1965206 |