Name
Alfred Monk
31 January 1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/09/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/75967
Royal Fusiliers *1
2nd (City of London) Bn. Posted 2/2nd London
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN
R. II. O. 4.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin, British Schools Museum Memorial, Hitchin
Pre War
Alfred was born on 31 January 1899 in Hitchin and christened on 19 March 1899 in St. Mary’s Church, Hitchin . His parents were Henry/Harry and Mary Ann Monk.
In 1901 the family were living at 30 Hitchin Hill, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Harry (45) and Mary (45), with x and working as a distillery labourer. Their children were: George (14), William (12), Sarah (9), Alice (7), Richard (4), Alfred (2) and Lizzie (3 months).
By 1911 the family were living at 1 Ship Yard, Queen Street, Hitchin. Present were both parents, x now working as a labourer in the timber trade. The census recorded they had been married for 30 years with 13 children, of whom 1 had died. Of the children listed above only Richard and Alfred Monk were present, but they had been joined by another brother, Petrotias (10).
He first enlisted on 7 December 1914 into the Hertfordshire Regiment as Private 4216, while living at 52 Queen Street, Hitchin and working as a core maker. At that time he claimed to be 17 years and 5 month old, but more likely was 15, he was described as 5’ 2 ½” tall, with dark brown hair and blue eyes.
Before entering the Army Albert was employed at the electric light works, Windbush, Hitchin and later at the munition factory at Letchworth.
Officially Albert was recorded as born and living in Hitchin when he enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
Although he was and all embodied on the same day as his enlistment (7/12/1914) he was discharged on the 17 November 1915. At that time he would have been 16 – 15 upon his enlistment or 16, and in fact was discharged “having made a mis-statement as to his age on enlistment.” And at that time had not served abroad. By that time he had grown another 1 ½”
He appears not to have volunteered again, but was called up when he was 18, so sometime in 1917 and was formerly 11651, Royal West Surrey Regiment. He went to France around May 1918 and at some time was transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers given Number G/75967 and later to the 2/2nd London Regiment.
He was sent to France in May 1918. Later he was posted to the 2/2nd Battalion of the London Regiment According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission he was Regimental Number G/75967
He was wounded in the knee and thigh by a shell and on the day before he died his mother received a note from Albert to say that he had been wounded and as he thought he would get home. She then received a telegram to say that he had died and later still received a note from the hospital saying that her boy was dangerously wounded by shell, on knee and thigh, but the doctors were hopeful of his recovery. Sadly that did not happen and he had died of those wounds in No. 12 General Hospital, Rouen, France.
He was buried in Plot R11, Row O, Grave 4 in the St. Sever Cemetery Extension in Rouen in France.
Additional Information
After his death £6 13s 5d pay owing was authorised to go to his father, Harry, on 22 January 1919. Later, a war gratuity of £6 10s was authorised to be paid to him on 8 December 1919.
His pension cards record Mary Ann Monk, his mother, as his dependant, living at 52 Queen Street, Hitchin. She was awarded a pension of 8s 5d a week from 13 May 1919.
His mother died on 3 October 1928.
He was the youngest of eight brothers, six of whom were serving in the armed forces.
*1 Probably more correctly London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers).
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
