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
