Name
Alfred James Sapsed
1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
12/04/1917
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sergeant
12069
Bedfordshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 5
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, Holy Saviour Church War Memorial, Radcliffe Rd., Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin, British Schools Museum Memorial, Hitchin, St Faith’s Church Memorial, Walsworth, Not on the Barkway memorials
Pre War
Alfred was born in 1894 in Barkway and his parents were James and Mary Sapsed.
In 1901 the family were living in one of the Eagle Tavern Cottages, Barkway. Present were both parents: James (34) and Mary (36), with Jamesx and working as a horsekeeper on farm. Their children were: George S (11), Alice M (9), Alfred James (6), Arthur W (3) and Charles (1).
There is an Alfred Sapsed, who in 1905 got first prize in the Barley flower show (the next village) for 2 cabbages. It is possible that it was him although he would only have been 10.
By 1911 the family were living at Walsworth, Hitchin. Present were both parents, James working as a .horseman on farm. The census recorded they had been married for 22 years with 9 children, of whom 1 had died. The children now listed were present George, Alfred – now 16 and a laundry van boy, Arthur, Charles, Ernest (7), Herbert (5) and Grace (2).
Before joining the army he had worked at the Pioneer Laundry in Letchworth. His home was at Well Cottage, Walsworth, and at the time of his death he was engaged to be married.
Officially Alfred was recorded as born in Barkway, Herts, and was living in Walsworth, Herts. when he enlisted in Hitchin.
He has an entry in the National Roll of the Great War – these were normally placed by family members using what they knew and are not always 100% correct. This suggests that he volunteered in August 1914, at the start of the war.
Wartime Service
He was given the Regimental Number 12069 and posted to the 6th (Service) Battalion of the Bedfords which was in the 112th Brigade part of the 37th Division in VI Corps of the 3rd Army. He went to France in July 1915 with Stanley Herbert Leete, from whom he took over distribution of the Hitchin War Comforts Fund. He fought at Loos, on the Somme and at Albert and was killed in fighting at Arras. His Company Officer, Captain Dennis H. Blake wrote: “It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that your son, Sergeant A. J. Sapsed, was killed in action on April 9, instantaneously, by a piece of shrapnel, as he was leading his platoon in a very successful attack. I have known your son since the battalion was formed at Aldershot, and have watched him throughout his career in the army. He was always cheerful and willing, and was a gallant Sergeant who will be badly missed both by officers and men in the company. The whole company offer its deep sympathy in your great loss.”
At the time of his death, the Battalion was engaged in the capture of La Bergere east of Arras, but in difficulty with considerable opposition from the Germans and especially from uncut wire. Casualties were heavy.
He has no known grave, but is remembered on the Arras Memorial to the Missing in France.
Additional Information
After his death £8 5s 10d pay owing was authorised to go to his mother on 21 February 1918. Later, a war gratuity of £15 was authorised to be paid to her on 30 October 1919.
His pension cards record his mother, as his next of kin. Mary Sapsed initially was listed at Walsworth, Hitchin and later Church Green, Great Wymondley, Herts.
Alfred’s brothers were serving, George in France, and Arthur in the Navy.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, Cilla DysonDavid C Baines, Jonty Wild
