Name
Alfred W Witts
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
24/09/1916
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
7663
London Regiment *1
1st /9th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 9 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Royston Town War Memorial, Kneesworth Congregational Church Memorial, Royston
Pre War
Alfred was the younger son of Thomas Wilson and Sarah Witts, of Heathfield, Royston.
He worked as an apprentice watchmaker to W. Course, in the High Street, Royston.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in the army in March 1915, went out to France in June 1915. On the 24th September 1916, his Battalion were located in the French village of Corbie. Here, Alfred took part in a bombing attack on a German trench, as he went forward with the bombers, so that when they had taken the trench he helped to dig a block, he was killed by the German grenade.
His body was never recovered, and as a consequence, his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial.
Additional Information
*1 Probably more correctly (County of London) Bn. London Regiment (Queen Victoria’s Rifles).
Alfred is also commemorated on his family’s grave in Royston Church Additional Burial Ground. His part of the inscription reads:
ALSO OF ALFRED YOUNGER SON OF THE ABOVE [Thomas Wilson & Sarah Witts). WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION NEAR COMBLES,
SEPT. 25. 1916(*2). AGED 19 YEARS.
*2 CWGC gives 24th.
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson
