Name
Alfred Leonard Saunders
1897
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
02/09/1917
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
5053
Rifle Brigade
3rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 145 to 147.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Berkhamsted Town Memorial, St Peter's Church Memorial, Berkhamsted
Pre War
Alfred Leonard Saunders was born in 1897 in Berkhamsted, the son of Emily Saunders.
On the 1901 Census 4 year old Alfred was being cared for by Robert and Kate Turney at 19 Castle Street, Berkhamsted and was listed as a boarder, whilst his mother was working as a servant to William McGrath Compton and his family at Wynyates, Cassio Road, Watford. His mother married James Sear in 1904 and on the 1911 Census Alfred was living with them and his brother/half brother Walter Sear at 17 High Street, Berkhamsted. Fourteen year old Alfred was then working as a fishmongers boy.
Wartime Service
Alfred enlisted in Hemel Hempstead and joined the 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade. His service number of 5053 suggests he was already a serving soldier at the outbreak of war and he probably joined towards the end of 1913, serving in France from 10 September 1914 as a Corporal.
He was killed in action on 2 September 1917 but has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £18 10s and pay owing of £9 5s 8d. Pension cards suggest she also received a pension, although the amount is unclear.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
