Name
Alfred James Cogan
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
07/11/1914
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
7633
Bedfordshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 10 and 11.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
St Mary the Virgin Church Memorial, Furneux Pelham
Pre War
Alfred James Cogan was born in Collingbourne Ducis, Wilts on 2nd November 1885, the third child and second son of William James Cogan and Louisa Ann (nee Burriss), and baptised there on 11th December 1885.
The family moved to Furneux Pelham in the 1890s. He was living with his parents in Lower East End, Furneux Pelham in 1901, and working as a maltster in Rayment’s brewery, Furneux Pelham.
He enlisted in the regular army at Bishops Stortford in 1903. The battalion was based at Mullingar in Ireland when war was declared, and took ship at Belfast for Le Havre, arriving on 16th August.
He and his brother, William John Cogan, served together, possibly pre-war as their service numbers are just 246 apart.
Wartime Service
The battalion took part in several battles before the first Battle of Ypres. Alfred James was killed, along with his brother William John, repelling an attack in woods near Herenthage Chateau on 7th November 1914.
Additional Information
Two other brothers, Charles and Philip, served. Charles survived but Philip was killed on 13 March 1915 They served with the 2nd Bedfords.
All three who died are on the Furneux Pelham Memorial. Youngest Brother Ernest Charles was wounded while serving at Ypres but survived the Great War
The Medal Rolls Index shows award of the Victory Medal, British Medal, 1914 Star and clasp. The qualifying date was 16th August 1914. His service records have not survived.
Acknowledgments
Dr Stephen Bratt
