Alfred Victor Debnam

Name

Alfred Victor Debnam
14 May 1898

Conflict

First World War

Date of Death / Age

04/07/1918
20

Rank, Service Number & Service Details

Lance Corporal
17721
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.

Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards

British War and Victory medals

Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country

TANNAY BRITISH CEMETERY, THIENNES
Plot 4. Row F. Grave 8.
France

Headstone Inscription

HE DIED TO GIVE US PEACE

UK & Other Memorials

The Church of St Mary the Virgin Memorial, Albury, Not on the Bishop's Stortford Town memorials

Pre War

Alfred was born on 14 May 1898 in Albury, the youngest of seven sons of Mark and Amelia Debnam of Clapgate, Albury, Herts.


On the 1901 Census the family were living at Clapgate, Albury, where his father was working as a Bricklayer.  The return also shows that two elder brothers were Privates serving in the 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment. The family remained living at Clapgate, Albury, on the 1911 Census where his father was an  Estate Carpenter. Alfred married Marion Elizabeth Coles on 5 August 1917 at St Michael's Church, Millbrook, Beds, and they had a daughter Ena Marion, born on 12 December 1917.


Wartime Service

He enlisted in Bishop's Stortford and served in the 1st Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment.  He must have been an above average recruit as he was promoted to Lance Corporal. Three soldiers were killed on the day he died, probably from shelling.

Additional Information

His widow Marion received a war gratuity of £17 and pay owing of £22 14s 2d for herself and daughter Eva born 14.12.17. She was also awarded a pension of 20s 5d a week from 20 January 1919. Great Niece Penelope Shaffer can be contacted via Find a Grave website.

Acknowledgments

Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, John Clear