Name
Alfred Edward Northey
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
12/10/1914
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
Worcestershire Regiment
4th Bn., attached 3rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Mentioned in Despatches
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BROWN'S ROAD MILITARY CEMETERY, FESTUBERT
IV.F 16
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St. Mary's Church Memorial, Rickmansworth,
Ind. Plaque (Brass) & Font, St. Mary’s Church Memorial, Rickmansworth,
Ind. Plaque (Marble), St. Mary’s Church Memorial, Rickmansworth
Pre War
Born 10th September 1886, baptised 10th October 1886 in Rickmansworth. Father Alfred Edward Northey, Mother Harriet Alice. His father was the vicar of the Parish (St Mary's) between 1884 to 1898.
In the 1881 census he is shown as living with his parents and older brother William at the Vicarage, Church Street, Rickmansworth. In the 1901 census he at Sherbourne School.
He is recorded as enlisting on 3rd February 1906.
Wartime Service
Part of the 7th Brigade, 3rd Division and Killed in Action.
De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1918 has the following citation: "Lieutenant 4th attached 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regt, younger son of the late Rev Alfred Edward Northey, formerly Vicar of Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, by his wife, Alice (Lisworney, Torquay), daughter of Frederick Hatton, and grandson of Lieut-Colonel William Brook Northey, of The Mount, Sevenoaks, Coldstream Guards, J.P., D.L.; born at The Vicarage, Rickmansworth, 10th September 1886; educated at Rottingdean, Sherborne School, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd lieutenant to the 4th Worcesters 3 February 1908, and promoted Lieutenant 24 October 1908; joined his battalion at Malta, where he was stationed until November 1908, when it proceeded to Bareilly, India. Returning from India on sick leave in February 1911, he was sent to the Depot at Worcester, and was there when war broke out. He acted as Machine-Gun Officer at Tregantle, Cornwall, until 30 August 1914, when he left for France in charge of a draft, and after being stationed for three weeks at St Nazaire, joined the 3rd Worcesters (7th Brigade, 3rd Division) at the front. He was killed in action 12 October, following, close to Richebourg St. Vaast, whilst the battalion was fighting its way through Richebourg to Neuve Chapelle. He was unmarried. His Commanding Officer wrote: “He was killed whilst leading his men in the attack. He was killed instantly, and did not suffer. He was a splendid officer, and can ill be spared. I hope it may be some little comfort to you, that he died leading his men in the most gallant manner.” He was mentioned in Sir John (now Lord) French’s Despatch of 14 January [London Gazette, 17 February 1915] Lieutenant Northey was an excellent musician, playing both piano and violin; a good all-round sportsman, and very popular with both officers and men."
The following announcement appeared Berrow’s Worcester Journal, 24th October 1914: "It is announced that Lieut. A. Northey, of the Worcestershire Regiment, was killed in action on the 12th inst. The younger son of the late Rev. A.E. Northey and of Mrs Northey, Lisworney, Torquay, he was well-known in military and sporting circles in the city and county, and was well liked for his social qualities and accomplishments. At the outbreak of the war he was with the Special Reserve in camp at Croome Park, and a few days later proceeded to a southern port, whence he was sent to the front. He was an excellent musician, and played the violin at the concerts of the Worcester festival Choral Society and the Worcestershire Orchestral Society. He was also a good linguist. He was a capable hockey player, at one time playing for the county at centre-half. He was, in fact, a good all-round sportsman, hunting as regularly as possible, and taking an active interest in many other branches of sport. He was hon. secretary of the Regimental Depot Hockey Club. He was a well-known figure in local cricket, and was seen in the Depot team, the Worcestershire Gentleman’s team and also helped the St. John’s club. He was appointed Second-Lieutenant in 1906, and Lieutenant two years later. He was formerly attached to the 6th Battalion."
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox, Tanya Britton, Robert and Sally Williams, Jonty Wild
