Wallace Alvey

Wallace was the son of Samuel and Harriet Mitchell Alvey (née Smith). Both his parents were born in Nottingham, his father in 1859 and his mother in about 1861. Samuel and Harriet were married on 12 December 1881 at Nottingham St Stephen, probably Sneinton parish church, and had six sons who were all born in Nottingham: Samuel b. 1884, Wallace b. 1886, Owen Burchby b. 28 August 1891, Dennis b. 2 February 1894, Charles Ralph b. 1897 and Walter Carran b. 29 June 1900. In 1891 Samuel, a hosiery machine fitter, and Harriet were living on Neville Street, Nottingham, with their sons Samuel (6) and Wallace (4). They were still at Neville Street in 1901. All six sons were in the home on the night of the census: Samuel an iron moulder, Wallace, a telegraph messenger, Owen (9), Dennis (7), Charles (3) and Walter (under 1 year). By 1911 Samuel and Harriet were living at 17 Mayfield Grove, Nottingham. Only five of their sons were still at home: Wallace, a letter carrier for the Post Office, Owen and Dennis who were both lace warehousemen, Charles a sinker maker (hosiery machines) and Walter. The eldest son, Samuel, had married Mary Ada Pearson in 1908 and in 1911 they were living off Birkin Avenue, Hyson Green, with their two children, Ellen and Frank. Wallace married Emma Cobley (born 15th December 1887) in 1911 at Nottingham. His wife was the daughter of James and Sarah Ann Cobley and was one of eight children. Wallace and Emma lived at 20 Manor Street, Sneinton, Nottingham. His widow Emma married Harold Roome (b. 1 May 1894) in 1921. In 1939 Emma and Harold, a gas works storeman, were living at 6 Manor Street, Sneinton, with their daughter Irene M Roome (b. 3 July 1923) a tobacco stripper. The record of another member of the household remains closed. Emma Roome died in 1965. Owen probably emigrated to Canada before the war as did his brother Dennis. Dennis enlisted in 1915 and named his mother, Harriet, of 52 Mayfield Road, Nottingham, as his next of kin. His parents Samuel and Harriet later moved to 121 St. Saviour's Road East, Leicester. Harriet probably died in 1934 while Samuel died on 16 March 1936 at Nottingham General Hospital although he was then living at 9 Margaret Road, Leicester. His son Walter was awarded probate. Wallace's brothers, Samuel and Owen, also died in the war (see 'Extra information'). Dennis enlisted on 19 April 1915 at Hamilton, Ontario. He served with the Canadian Infantry (406664 Private), latterly with the 29th Bn (18 May 1917-8 August 1919), and served overseas. Dennis married Rose E. on 8 January 1918 and died in Canada on 12 June 1957. Their brother Charles Ralph also emigrated to Canada where he was recorded on the 1921 Census. Walter married Ethel Brandreth in 1927 (A/M/J Leicester) and they had two sons, John P (b. 19 April 1928) and James K. (b. 1935). In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled they were living on Gwendolen Road, Leicester; Walter was an engineer's toolmaker. Ethel died in 1961 and Walter in 1985.

1901 - telegraph messenger. 1906 - joined Post Office as a postman. 1911 - he was a postman ('letter carrier')

Pte. Wallace Alvey, 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, was killed in action on 31st July 1917 but his death was not confirmed until March the following year. No CWGC or UKSWD records. ID from Soldier's Effects Register, obituary, Medal Card and 1911 Census. David Nunn

His brother, Pte. Samuel Alvey, 11th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (15772 Private), was killed in action on 7th July 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour.) His brother Private Owen Burchby Alvey, served with the 13th Canadian Infantry Battalion (192905 Private). He died at the Royal Victorian Hospital, Netley, on 23rd October 1916 as the result of a shrapnel wound received on 25th September 1916. He was buried in Netley Military Cemetery. (See record on this Roll of Honour.) Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 11th March 1918: “ALVEY. – Reported missing July 31st, 1917, now reported killed, Pte. Wallace Alvey (late postman), Lincolnshire Regiment. – From his loving wife.” Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 31st July 1918. “ALVEY. – In loving memory of my dear husband, Pte. Wallace Alvey, killed in action July 31st, 1917. Gone, but not forgotten." “ALVEY. – In loving memory of my dear son-in-law, Pte. W. Alvey, killed in action July 31st, 1917. Ever in our thoughts. – Mother [Sarah Ann Cobley], sister Florrie [Florence Cobley]." “ALVEY. – In loving memory of Pte. W. Alvey, killed in action July 31st, 1917. – Ever remembered by his sister and brother, Annie [née Cobley] and Arthur.” Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 31st July 1919. “ALVEY. – To the cherished memory of my dear husband Pte. Wallace Alvey Lincoln Regt., who gave his life in France, July 31st, 1917. Fondly remembered. – Loving wife.” Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 2nd August 1919. “ALVEY. – In loving memory of Pte. Wallace Alvey, killed July 31st, 1917. Too loved to be forgotten. – Mother [Sarah Ann Cobley], Florrie [Florence Cobley], Annie [née Cobley], and Arthur, Fred [Frederic Cobley] (Egypt).” Above notices courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-18 Following Wallace's death his widow Emma received a pension of 13 shillings and 9 pence a week payable from 1st April 1918.