Alfred Richards

Alfred was the son of Henry Richards and his wife Annie (née Mays). His father Henry was born in Colston Bassett in 1864, the son of John Richards. His mother Annie (or Anne) was born in Upper Broughton, Leicestershire, in 1866, the daughter of Joseph and Ann Mays. In 1871 Annie and her parents were living in Broughton Sulney where her father had the tenancy of the Greyhound Inn. However, by 1881 the widowed Joseph Mays was managing 90 acres at Felley Farm, Greasley, and his daughter Annie (14) was caring for the family which included four younger siblings. Henry Richards and Annie were married at Long Clawson, Leicestershire in November 1886 where Henry was a resident while Annie was living in Hyson Green, Nottingham. They had eight children who were all born in Colston Bassett: Lily b. 1887, Harry b. 1890, Mary Emily b. 1891, Arthur b. 1895, twins Annie and Alfred b. 26 June 1897 bap. St John the Divine 27 June 1897, Violet birth registered 1901 (J/F/M) and John b. 1903. John was described on the 1911 Census as blind and dumb, ‘imbecile from birth.’ Henry, who worked variously as a general agricultural labourer and domestic gardener, and Annie were recorded living in Colston Bassett between 1891 and 1911 and probably lived in Colston Bassett throughout their married life. By 1911 only four of their eight children were still living at home: Anne and Alfred, who was a farm boy, Violet and John. The second son, Arthur, has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census, but his older brother Harry was a station porter at Newton, Alfred, Derbyshire, where he was boarding with a colliery worker and his wife on Station Road. The two eldest daughters, Lily and Mary, were both in domestic service, Lily in West Bridgford, Nottingham, and Mary on a farm in Barton in Fabis, Nottinghamshire. Alfred's father died in December 1926; he was still living in Colston Bassett. Administration of his Will was awarded to his widow, Annie. Annie died in 1934.

1911 - farm boy

Residence Colston Bassett. Enlisted Newark

2/5th Bn East Lancashire Regiment. Formerly 268704, 7th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). The 2/5th Bn East Lancashire Regiment was a Territorial Battalion raised in Burnley in 1914 as a home service ('second line') unit. However, it was drafted to the BEF France in March 1917. Alfred was taken prisoner of war on 21 March 1918, the first day of the German spring offensive. The 2/5th battalion was reduced to cadre strength the following month and disbanded in France on 31 July 1918. Alfred was held prisoner at Altdamm Prison Camp, Pomerania, Germany, where he died of bronchitis on 24 November 1918. He was buried in Altdamm Prisoner of War Cemetery but his grave was brought into Berlin South Western Cemetery after the war. (grave ref. VII G 3). Alfred was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Berlin South Western Cemetery (extract): 'In 1922-23 it was decided that the graves of Commonwealth servicemen who had died all over Germany should be brought together into four permanent cemeteries. Berlin South-Western was one of those chosen and in 1924-25, graves were brought into the cemetery from 146 burial grounds in eastern Germany. There are now 1,176 First World War servicemen buried or commemorated in the Commonwealth plot at Berlin South-Western Cemetery. The total includes special memorials to a number of casualties buried in other cemeteries in Germany whose graves could not be found. The following cemeteries are among those from which graves were brought to Berlin South-Western Cemetery [including] Altdamm Prisoners of War Cemetery, 8 kilometres East of Stettin, in the Province of Pommern (Pomerania), contained the graves of 46 soldiers from the United Kingdom, three from Newfoundland and two from Canada, who died in 1915-1918.' (www.cwgc.org)

Colston Bassett St Mary burial ground: George Henry Hurt (1915-1919) also his father John G Hurt (1892-1933). Headstone also commemorates Alfred Richards, brother of Lily Hurt (née Richards) wife of John and mother of George. Nottingham Evening Post 27th January 1919: “Richards. On November 24th, at Altdamm Camp, Germany, Pte. Alfred Richards, 2/5 East Manchesters [sic], the beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Richards, Colston Basset, aged 21. No loved one stood beside him to hear his last farewell, no word of comfort did he have from those he loved so well.” Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 24 November 1919: ‘Richards. In loving remembrance of Alfred Richards, Colston Bassett, who died in Germany November 24th 1918, aged 21. Love cannot die, Sadly missed by mother, father, brothers, and sisters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 24 November 1919: ‘Richards. With fondest remembrance of our dear brother, Alfred Richards (Bab), died in Germany, November 24th, 1918. Shattered hopes. Lily and Jack [Lily m. 1914, John G Hurt].’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother Annie was his sol legatee.