Name
Alfred George Tansley
1880
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/09/1918
40
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
17713
The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
14th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MIKRA BRITISH CEMETERY, KALAMARIA
378
Greece
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Alfred was in Hitchin and although the CWGC records would suggest that was around 1878, the 1881 census suggests 1880 and an Alfred Tansley’s birth registered in that year and christened on 19 May 1880. His parents were George and Emily Tansley (nee Whitby) who married in 1876.
In 1881 the family were living at Taylors Lane, Hitchin. Present were both parents: George and Emily (29) – George’s age varies in the census but was perhaps 5 years younger. George was working as a lamp man for the GNR and Emily as a straw plaiter. Their children were: Flory (3) and Alfred - 11 months. George’s father, Edward Tansley (63) was also present.
By 1891 the family and moved to 11 Barnard’s Yard, Queen Street, Hitchin. Present were both parents and George was now working as a railway porter. Their children were: Florence E (13), Alfred (10), Arthur (7) and Charlotte Louisa (2).
Then in 1901 the family were at St Andrews Street, Hitchin. Again both parents were present, with George again a lamp man for the GNR. Their children were: Florence, Alfred, now 20 and a labourer in a tan yard, Arthur, Lottie and now May (8).
By 1911 Alfred had left home and his parents were living in Harvey's Yard, Hitchin. The census recorded they had been married for 34 years with 4 children, all living.
Alfred married Alice Gertrude Cannon (b 26/2/1888) in 1908 and their daughter Alice May was born in 1908. By 1911 the family were living at Wood Terrace, Walsworth, Hitchin in Alice’s parents’ (Godfrey and Alice) home. Three of her younger siblings were present William, Emma May and Leonard. Alfred and Alice (listed as Gertrude) were there with their daughter. Alfred working as a farm labourer.
Two more children were born: Leonard Alfred in 1912 and Cecil Charles in 1915.
He was reported to have joined the Army in July 1916 and before that had been employed at Russell's Tanyard in Hitchin for 16 years. His home was at 52 Whinbush Road, Hitchin.
Officially he was recorded as born and living in Hitchin when he enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
At first he held Regimental Number 17713 (some records give 17773) in the Royal West Surrey Regiment but later was transferred to the Labour Corps in the 95th Labour Company with the Number 56830. He went to Salonika in October 1916 and died there of influenza.
He was buried in Grave 378 in the Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria in Greece. A private inscription on the stone reads "Rest in peace".
Additional Information
After his death £8 4s 3d pay owing was calculated, however there was a recharge of £1 4s meaning £7 0s 3d was authorised to go to his widow on 10 February 1919. Later, a war gratuity of £9 10s was authorised to be paid to her on 9 December 1919.
His pension cards record Alice Gertrude as his widow and next of kin, living at 52 Whinbush Road, Hitchin. It also lists their children as Alice May (b 18/3/1908), Leonard Alfred (b 26/4/1912) and Cecil Charles (b 12/4/1915). She was paid a grant of £8 on 19 October 1918 and then awarded a pension of 29s 7d a week for her and their children from 14 April 1919.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
