Name
Alfred Murfitt
11 December 1886
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/05/1917
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Serjeant
265638
Seaforth Highlanders
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 8.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Tewin memorial,
Plaque on family grave, Tewin churchyard
Pre War
Alfred Murfitt was born in Islington, London, on 11 December 1886, the youngest son of Albinus and Eliza Murfitt, and one of five children. He was baptised at St Thomas, Islington on 20 February 1887. They were then living at 220 Copenhagen Street, Islington and his father was a Fireman.
By 1901 the family had moved to 15 Buckingham Street, Islington and his father gave his occupation as Engine Driver. They had moved to 5 Marquis Road, Camden by 1911 and Alfred was working as a Correspondence Clerk for a General Engineers, founders & steel manufacturers.
His parents later lived at 5 Bethune Avenue, Friern Barnett, Herts, then at "Gallaway," Tewin Wood, Welwyn, Herts.
Wartime Service
Alfred enlisted in London and served with the 6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders in France from 1 May 1915, initially with the reg. no. 2116, which was later changed to 265638. He had been promoted to Lance Sergeant before he was killed in action on 16 May 1917 during the Arras Offensive.
He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His sister-in-law Joyce Emily Murfitt received a war gratuity of £13 10s and pay owing of £10 16s 4d. His mother received a pension of 12 shillings a week.
Probate was granted on 20 August 1917 in London to his brother George Murfitt, Captain, Machine Gun Corps, with effects of £299 19s 1d.
Alfred is also commemorated on a separate memorial stone, believed to be on the family grave in Tewin (St. Peter) Churchyard. His part of the inscription reads:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF SERGEANT ALFRED MURFITT
1/6TH SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS KILLED IN ACTION AT VIMY RIDGE ON MAY 16TH 1917.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
