Pte
Alfred Perry
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1897 |
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Place of birth: Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Labourer |
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: 241305 |
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Enlistment place: Worcester, Worcestershire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Worcestershire Regiment, 2/8th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 27/08/1917 |
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Place of death: Aisne Farm, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 20 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 77 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
PPrivate Alfred Perry was part of the 2/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, 183rd Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division.
After unsuccessful attacks the previous nights, a systematic attack was prepared on the 26th of August to be executed on the 27th. At 8:30 p.m. that day, the 2/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment moved up to font and relieved the 2/7th Worcesters. Before daybreak on the rainy 27th of August, A, B and D-Companies pushed up to form a line in forward shell holes in preparation of the attack on Aisne Farm. This continued until after daylight.
At 1:55 p.m. on the 27 of August the friendly barrage opend up and the 2/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment advanced. Although the left flank was able to gain ground, the centre did not get forward. Due to the mud and the the German machineguns at Aisne Farm, the men were not able to keep up with the creeping barage and took casualties. The attack failed and Aisne Farm could not be reached. 2/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment withdrew in good order to Somme Line, only a little further forward than the Jump-Offline.
In addition to the officer casualties, 35 other ranks were killed in the attack. Four other ranks were missing and believed killed. Private Alfred Perry was one the men killed that day. A local newspaper reported that Private Perry was shot by a sniper and died instantaneously. His body was not recovered after the war.
Note that the front line represented on the map is approximate for the day he died.
After unsuccessful attacks the previous nights, a systematic attack was prepared on the 26th of August to be executed on the 27th. At 8:30 p.m. that day, the 2/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment moved up to font and relieved the 2/7th Worcesters. Before daybreak on the rainy 27th of August, A, B and D-Companies pushed up to form a line in forward shell holes in preparation of the attack on Aisne Farm. This continued until after daylight.
At 1:55 p.m. on the 27 of August the friendly barrage opend up and the 2/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment advanced. Although the left flank was able to gain ground, the centre did not get forward. Due to the mud and the the German machineguns at Aisne Farm, the men were not able to keep up with the creeping barage and took casualties. The attack failed and Aisne Farm could not be reached. 2/8th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment withdrew in good order to Somme Line, only a little further forward than the Jump-Offline.
In addition to the officer casualties, 35 other ranks were killed in the attack. Four other ranks were missing and believed killed. Private Alfred Perry was one the men killed that day. A local newspaper reported that Private Perry was shot by a sniper and died instantaneously. His body was not recovered after the war.
Note that the front line represented on the map is approximate for the day he died.
Sources 6
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/ Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1636679/perry,-alfred/ Sources used |
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H.Fitz and M. Stacke, 'The Worcestershire Regiment in the Great War, ' Uckfield: The Naval & Military Press Ltd., s.d., p. 282-284. Sources used |
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Naval & Military Archive http://www.nmarchive.com/ Sources used |
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The Bromsgrove, Droitwich & Redditch Weekly Messenger, Country Journal And General Advertiser, 15/09/1917. Sources used |
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The Long, Long Trail https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/ Sources used |