Name
Alfred Frederick Head
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
74871
Middlesex Regiment
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Alfred Head was born at Great Wishford, Wiltshire in the wnter of 1865. He was one of three children (two sons and one daughter) born to William and Sarah Head. William worked as an Agricultural Labourer.
On 6th June 1895 Alfred married Helen Jones at Ickenham (Helen was born there).
In the 1911 Census the couple were recorded living at 56 Marlin Square, Abbots Langley. Alfred was employed as an Attendant at the Asylum at Leavesden. It is not certain when Alfred came to the Abbots Langley area or when he began employment with the Metropolitan Asylum Board, however his daughter was born in 1897 at Garston, which suggested that he had arrived in the local area by that time.
Alfred attested with the 1st Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment on 5th October 1914 at the age of 47, and underwent a Medical Examination at Mill Hill. After his Medical he returned home, presumably posted to the Army Reserve to await mobilisation. The Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour listed him serving with the Middlesex Regiment from December 1914.
After waiting at home for over two years, on 7th December 1916, and at the age of 49 he was declared Medical Category C2 by a travelling Medical Board. This category was considered not fit enough for Military Service. On 12th June 1917 his Service Record indicated that he was again examined by a travelling Medical Board, and this time declared Medical Category C3.
In 1917 the Labour Employment Corps was formed, mainly to undertake salvage work, and the 50 year old Alfred was transferred to the 401st Employment Company on 14th July 1917. On 1st December 1917 he moved to the Middlesex Regiment Depot Corps, and on 8th February 1918 was once again medically examined, this time at Mill Hill, where he was classified Medical Category B4, but still not fit enough for military service.
Despite attesting very early in the War Alfred did not make it into an active service unit, and did not leave England throughout his period of service. He was recorded in the Autumn 1918 Absent Voter Records, serving as a Corporal at the Middlesex Regiment Depot, and giving his address at 56 Marlin Square, Abbots Langley.
Alfred was sent to Dispersal at Mill Hill on 15th January 1919, and released to the Army Reserve and sent home to 56 Marlin Square, Abbots Langley, on 12th February 1919. He remained on the Home reserve until 31st March 1920, when he was finally discharged and demobilised.
Alfred Head survived the War.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
