L/Cpl 52167 Alfred Almond

• Age: 32
• From: Stockport, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• D.O.W Friday 22nd December 1916
• Commemorated at: Etaples Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: XX.J.9

Alfred was born in Stockport in 1884 the youngest son of John and Mary Ann Almond (nee Thorley) who had married in 1878 in Altrincham. His father was from Ormskirk and his mother from Dunham Massey. Alfred was baptised on 15th September 1886 at Bowden.

His siblings were James, Lawrence, Robert and Frank who sadly died in infancy, Florence and Louie. 

The 1891 Census shows the family living at the Boars Head Inn, 2 Vernon Street, Stockport. Alfred is 6 years of age and lives with his parents and five siblings. His father, John, aged 29 is the manager of the public house, whilst his mother is shown as being 26 years of age and the manageress. His siblings are listed as; James aged 12, Lawrence also aged 12, Robert aged 9, Florence Mary aged 2 and Louie who is a new born. Also present is a boarder, 45vyearcold Joseph Miller. 

The 1901 Census sees the family living at 36 Ashfield Road, Altrincham. His father has passed away and Alfred now 16 is employed as an ironmongers apprentice. He lives with his widowed mother, five siblings and his grandmother. His siblings are listed as; John and Lawrence aged 22, Robert aged 19, Florence M. aged 12 and Louie now 10. His grandmother, Mary A. Thornley a 70 year old widow is also present.

By 1911 the family are still living at the same address and Alfred now aged 26 and single is employed as a railway advertising clerk and traveller. He lives with his mother and four siblings. James is 32 and a salesman in ironmongers, Robert is 29 and a joiner, Florence Mary is 22 and Louie who is 20 is a dressmaker.

Alfred enlisted into the Manchester Regiment as Private 3044 before transferring to the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. He was serving as Lance Corporal 52167 when he died of wounds on the 22nd December 1916, aged 32. 

He now rests at Etaples Military Cemetery in France at XX.J.9 where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"CALL HIM OH LORD TO THINE ETERNAL PEACE". 

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.

His death was reported in the Manchester Evening News on 27th December 1916

ROLL OF HONOUR

Lance Corporal ALFRED ALMOND (52167), Liverpool Regiment, late Manchester Regiment, dearly loved youngest son of Mrs. M. Almond, 36 Ashfield Road, Altrincham, died of wounds December 22nd, aged 32 years. Duty well done. Sadly missed by

MOTHER, SISTERS, Brothers (JAMES, in France, ROBERT, in Egypt).

Also in the Manchester Evening News on 29th December 1916

FALLEN FIGHTERS

Mrs. M. Almond, 36 Ashfield Road, Altrincham, has been officially informed of her youngest son, Lance Corporal ALFRED ALMOND, Liverpool Regiment (Machine Gun section, late of the Manchester Regiment), died of wounds in the head at the 1st Canadian General Hospital on December 22. Prior to enlisting in October 1914 he was a clerk and traveller with Messrs. Kershaw Ltd, railway advertising contractors.

His effects were sent to his mother. and a pension was awarded to his mother and sister Florence. Soldiers Effects state that Alfred was an unpaid Lance Corporal.

Alfred is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Altrincham War Memorial

St John's Church, Altrincham

He is also commemorated on the family headstone at Hale.

We currently have no further information on Alfred Almond, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.