1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Pte 23916 Alfred Joseph Bradshaw
- Age: 23
- From: Runcorn, Cheshire
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
- D.O.W Tuesday 11th July 1916
- Commemorated at: Etaples Mil Cem
Panel Ref: II.A.79A
23916 Private Alfred Joseph BRADSHAW, 4 Coy, 20th Battn KLR – DOW 11.07.1916.
Born in Runcorn in the September quarter of 1894, Alfred Joseph was the second of six children born to Frederick Bradshaw, a cabinet maker, and his wife Lillian. His parents married in 1891 at All Saints Church, Runcorn. They had an older son, shown in the Census Returns as Frederick William, born in 1892 and two younger sons, Ernest, born in 1910, and Reginald born 1911; as well as two daughters, one of whom died in 1904 when only 4 years old.
The 1901 Census shows them living at 34 High Street, Runcorn. His father, Frederick J., is aged 35 born in Chester, is said to be a cabinet maker and upholsterer with his own business, his mother Lilian is 30 years of age and was born in Runcorn. They have four children in the household and all were born in Runcorn; Frederick W. 9, Alfred J. 6, Lilian 4, Ethel 1, also declared is Frederick J.'s widowed mother Anne 67 b.Salop.
His sister Ethel died in the December quarter of 1904, aged 4.
Alfred enlisted in Liverpool, joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 23916.
Formed in November 1914 the 20th Battalion were originally billeted at He arrived in France on 7th November 1915.Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.
Alfred’s service record has not survived but we know from his Medal Index card that he left for France on 7th November 1915.During the First World War, the area around Etaples was the scene of immense concentrations of Commonwealth reinforcement camps and hospitals. It was remote from attack, except from aircraft, and accessible by railway from both the northern or the southern battlefields. In 1917, 100,000 troops were camped among the sand dunes and the hospitals, which included eleven general, one stationary, four Red Cross hospitals and a convalescent depot, could deal with 22,000 wounded or sick. In September 1919, ten months after the Armistice, three hospitals and the Q.M.A.A.C. convalescent depot remained.
The cemetery contains 10,771 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, the earliest dating from May 1915. 35 of these burials are unidentified. It is the largest CWGC cemetery in France, and was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
He was reported as wounded in the Runcorn Guardian 14th July 1916
PRIVATE A. BRADSHAW WOUNDED
Mr Alfred Bradshaw of High Street, Runcorn, has received a letter stating that his second son, Private Alf Bradshaw, of the Liverpool "Pals" has been rather seriously wounded in action and is now in hospital. Before the war he held a position under the Liverpool Education Authority.
On the 28th July 1916 The Runcorn Guardian reported
Private A. Bradshaw, who was 23 years old, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Bradshaw, High Street, Runcorn. He was throughout life the friend of William Whyte, and was by his side through all the happenings of the campaign. He joined the Army with him, went over to France with him, and in the great push on July 1st fought by his side, and was wounded by the same shell. He, like his comrade, succumbed to his injuries in a base hospital in France. He was a lifelong scholar of Brunswick, a member of the Men’s Bible Class and St Pauls Church and Mr Yates’ Society Class. He was of a retiring, but loveable disposition, and will be greatly missed by many outside the home circle. He showed, very early, promise as assistant teacher of woodwork with Mr Maidwell at Balfour Road Higher Grade School. He has left a gap hard to fill indeed.
His friend Private 23996 William Henry Whyte, referred to in the article, died of his wounds on the day of the great push, 01st July 1916.
Alfred's death was reported in the Runcorn Weekly News on 21st August 1916:
DIED IN HOSPITAL.
After receiving several letters which appeared to justify the hope that their son, Private Alf Bradshaw, was making satisfactory progress towards recovery, Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Bradshaw, High street, Runcorn, had word on Friday that he had succumbed to his wounds. The deceased soldier was 22 years of age, and had been serving at the front since November last with the 20th Liverpools (4th Pals). At the time of his enlistment he was employed by the Liverpool Education Authority. He was of an unassuming disposition, and greatly respected in the town. His name is on the roll of honour of the Brunswick Wesleyan School.
Soldiers Effects and Pension to father Frederick J.
Alfred was awarded his three medals, which were sent together with outstanding monies to his father.
Alfred’s brother, who no doubt because of having the same forename as his father was usually referred to as William, enlisted as William Frederick Bradshaw, Number 141235, in the Royal Garrison Artillery on 15th December 1915. He married Fanny Dale in Runcorn Parish Church on 6th September 1916 and was posted in reserve in the UK. He landed in France on 17th February 1918 and was posted to 254 Brigade RGA. He was wounded on 13th March 1918 but remained on duty. He was wounded again on 9th April and was believed to have been admitted to 34th Field Ambulance but this turned out to be untrue and he was subsequently presumed to have died on or about 09th April 1918. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial.
Alfred was remembered in the Runcorn Weekly News on 13th August 1926:
PRIVATE ALFRED BRADSHAW, of succumbed to wounds received in action, ten years ago. He had been serving at the front with the 20th Liverpool (4th Pals). At the time of enlistment he was employed by the Liverpool Education Authority. His name was added to the roll of honour of the Brunswick Wesleyan School.
Parents appear on the 1939 Register still at 34 High Street. Frederick, date of birth 04th March 1866, and Lillian, date of birth 18th March 1871, are living with their children Lillian and Reginald.
His mother died, aged 72, in 1943, and his father died, aged 78, in 1944.
We currently have no further information on Alfred Joseph Bradshaw, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
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