Name
Alfred James Faulkes (poss Fulkes)
9 Sep 1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/11/1918
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
13413
The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BAGHDAD (NORTH GATE) WAR CEMETERY
V. C. 1.
Iraq
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Letchworth Town Memorial, Not on the St Albans memorials*1
Pre War
Alfred James Fulkes was born in Shoreditch on 9 Sep 1888 (baptised 30 Sep 1888 at St Peter’s, Bethnal Green) to Alfred George Fulkes, and Frances (nee Ashby)
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Louisa F (born 1885) and Alfred J were living at 45, York Road, Shoreditch, London.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Louisa (dress machinist), Alfred, Ernest (born 1894), Mabel (born 1897) and Horace (born 1898) were living at 36, Queen Ann Road, Hackney, London.
On the 1911 Census Alfred (print machine minder) was a boarder was living with the Simpkins family of parents James & Emma, Alfred, (born 1883, labourer), Annie M (born 1888) & Lily (born 1893) both book folders, George (born plumber’s labourer) at 44, Nix Road, Letchworth. His parents and family of Louisa (domestic servant), Ernest (houseboy),Mabel and Horace were living at Matlock Camp Road, St Albans, Herts.
Alfred married Annie M Simpkins on 13 Apr 1912 in Hitchin District. There would be a son: Alfred Stanley born 20 Jun 1915.
His wife lived at 97, Ridge Avenue, Letchworth. Herts.
Wartime Service
Alfred attested on 11 Dec 1915 and was posted to Army Reserve. He was mobilised on 21 Apr 1916 and posted to 12th (Reserve) Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment as Private 13413. This Battalion became 99 Training Reserve Battalion, 23 Brigade on 1 Sep 1916.
On 5 Sep 1916 Alfred was posted 2nd Battalion RWK a part of the Middle East Force (Mesopotamia). In 1917 the battalion were part of 34 Brigade, 17 (Indian) Division and on 1 Mar 1918 Alfred was attached to 34 Light Trench Mortar Brigade in the Division. In 1918 the Division were involved in actions at Fat-Ha Gorge & Little Zab (23-26 Oct) and the Battle of Sharquat (28-30 Oct). Shortly after Alfred was taken ill with Meningitis and died on 19 Nov 1918.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £15 and arrears of £18 9s 0d was paid to his widow, who also received a pension of 20s 5d.
Alfred is also commemorated on the grave of his sister, Louisa Frances Smith (nee Fulkes), in St. Albans (Hatfield Road) Cemetery. His part of the inscription reads:
ALSO OF PTE. ALFRED JAMES FULKES [BROTHER OF THE ABOVE (Louisa Francis Smith)] WHO DIED IN MESOPOTAMIA NOVEMBER 19TH 1918 AGED 30 YEARS
SADLY MISSED.
Arthur Fulkes the husband of is also commemorated this grave.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Dan Hill, Janet Capstick, Jonty Wild
