Name
Alfred Ludford
Circa 1880
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/04/1915
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
16450
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RAILWAY DUGOUTS BURIAL GROUND (TRANSPORT FARM)
I. P. 19.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, Holy Saviour Church War Memorial, Radcliffe Rd., Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Alfred was born around 1880 in Hitchin and christened on 29 October 1884 in Holy Savior Church, Hitchin. His parents were George and Mary Ann Ludford.
In 1881 the family were living at 1 Chapmans Yard, Queen Street, Hitchin. Present were both parents: George (29) and Mary (30), with George working as an agricultural labourer. Their children were: George (5) and Alfred at 6 months.
In 1891 the family were still in Chapmans Yard, but now at number 8. Both parents were present, with George now working as a railway labourer (plate). As well as George and Alfred, other children present were William (19), Louise (3) and Polly at 1 month.
Remaining at the same address in 1901. George was working as a railway platelayer. Of the above children Polly was absent, Alfred was 16 and working as a labourer at a sewage farm. New siblings were Mary Ann (10) and Harry (6).
Alfred married Elizabeth (Lizzie) hare (b 10/6/1887) in 1906. Two children followed: Alfred (b 2/6/1906) and Lizzie (b 5/6/1910).
By 1911 the Alfred and Lizzie, Alfred (junior) and Lizzie (junior) were living at 10 Chapmans Yard, Queen Street, Hitchin. Alfred had followed his father and was working as a labourer for the Great Northern Railway. The census recorded they had been married for 3 years with 3 children, of whom 1 had died. Although both children named above were present.
Alfred’s parents were still at number 8 Chapmans Yard, a couple of doors away, and the census recorded them as married for 40 years, with 13 children, of whom 7 had died.
Alfred volunteered in August 1914 joining the 1st Battalion of the Bedfords with the Regimental Number 16450. Not long afterwards, probably while he was being trained, another son was born - Harry on 28 December 1915.
Officially he was recorded as born, living and enlisting in Hitchin, Herts.
Wartime Service
After training, Alfred was sent to abroad and landed in France 24 March 1915.
Alfred and his brother George(*1) have entries in the National Roll of the Great War – these were normally placed by family member using what they knew and are not always 100% correct. Alfred’s records that served in various sectors, taking part in many engagements until he was killed at Hill 60 on April 21st, 1915.
The Germans were making desperate attempts to retake Hill 60. Shelling was intense so that the trenches had collapsed, and the fighting went on in groups of shell-holes. Bombs and ammunition became exhausted and still the enemy shelled and machine-gunned. The Devonshires came up to relieve the Bedfords and the remnants of the Battalion marched back to Vlamertinge. Out of 630 men only 230 were left. Honours and praise were lavished on other units but the Bedfords, with the lion's share of the fighting and double the casualties, were ignored though it was an epic fight and at least they were congratulated by Sir John French (Commander-in-Chief) on their good work on Hill 60.
He was buried in Plot I, Row P, Grave 19 in the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground in Belgium.
Additional Information
His pension cards record Mrs Elizabeth Ludford of 15 Barnard’s Yard, Queen Street, Hitchin as his widow and dependant. She was awarded a pension of 18s 6d a week from 20 December 1915, which was increased by 2s from 28 December 1915. The card confirms their children as, Alfred (b 2/6/1906), Lizzie (b 5/6/1910) and Harry (b 28/12/1915).
*1 His brother George served in the 1st Herts, surviving, and was demobilised in 1919.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
