Alfred Ernest Graves

Name: Alfred Ernest Graves

1895 - 8th October 1917

Place of Birth: Arlesey

Occupation: Unemployed

Division: 1st Battalion

Regiment: Bedfordshire Regiment 

Rank: Private

Buried: I. H. 5, Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, Nord, France

 

Person(s) placing the cross on behalf of the Arlesey Remembers You Project: Nina Brown

 

Alfred was born in 1895, the son of William and Elizabeth Graves. William was a Railway Signalman at Three Counties Station for upwards of 40 years. He was born in Cottenham, Cambridgeshire and Elizabeth (nee Boothey) was originally from Islington, London. Their marriage was registered at Biggleswade in the third quarter of 1869. They returned to Cottenham sometime between 1901 and 1911, presumably when William retired.

 

The family are shown as living in Arlesey from at least the time of the 1871 census, residing in Asylum Road (now Hospital Road), then Station Road. Alfred was part of a large family, consisting of sisters: Mary, Agnes, Emma, Martha, Annie, Bertha, Alice and Ada, along with brothers: William, Walter and Arthur. All of the children were born in Arlesey. Alfred was educated at the Councils Schools and was a Wesleyan Sunday School scholar. He also took an interest in the Arlesey Band of Hope work (a temperance organisation for working-class children).

 

The Bedfordshire Regiment records show that Alfred joined the Army in November 1915, possibly as part of the Derby Scheme. Before joining the Army, Alfred was employed by Mr Gosling, a newsagent. A report of Alfred’s death in the Bedfordshire Times and Independent from 26th October 1917 suggests that he served as an Officers servant whilst in the Army. At the time of Alfred’s death the 1st Battalion were on the Front Line near Veldhoek, having relieved the Royal West Kents. They had been busy digging a continuous front line and a communication trench back to the battalion HQ. The day after Alfred’s death saw the start of the Third Battle of Ypres – The battle of Poelcapelle.

 

Alfred died at a casualty clearing station behind the lines on Oct 8th 1917. A report from the local newspaper from Nov 2nd gives us the following information:

“Mrs Graves has received particulars from the Sister-in-Charge, of her son’s death – You will have received the sad news of the loss of your son Pte Alfred Graves, 1st Bedfords. He was admitted here on the 8th, very ill indeed, with a stomach wound. Everything possible was done for him, but he passed away about 4 hours after his admission. He was too ill to talk or answer questions, but I told him I should be writing to you and would send his love. He was unconscious for a little while before the end, which was very peaceful. He is laid to rest in the cemetery here by the side of his comrades.”

 

Alfred is buried in the Godewaersvelde British Cemetery. Godewaersvelde is a village near the Belgian border, halfway between Poperinge (Belgium) and Hazbrouck (France). The cemetery was begun in July 1917, when 3 casualty-clearing stations (CCS) were moved to Godewaersvelde. The role of the CCS was to treat a man sufficiently for him to return to duty, or in most cases to be evacuated to a base hospital. They were manned by the troops of the Royal Medical Corps, with attached Royal Engineers and men of the Army Service Corp. CCS number 37 was in operation at Godewaersvelde from July to November 1917.

 

A memorial service for Alfred and another Arlesey soldier, Lance Corporal J Rainbow, was held at the Wesleyan Sunday School in Arlesey on Sunday 28th October 1917. The superintendent made touching references of their deaths, and the Rev G Adcock read two letters, which spoke of the excellent Christian lives they had been living.

Alfred is remembered on the Arlesey War memorial and also on the memorial in Cottenham, where his parents lived.

 

IMG_0073 IMG_0083 IMG_0088 IMG_0058

 

Alfred Graves Biggs Chron 2 Nov 1917

 

Alfred Graves Biggs Chron 9 Nov 1917Alfred Graves Biggs Chron 2 Nov 1917Alfred Graves Beds Times & Indep 26 Oct 19171917 Nov 02 (11

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