Cpl 21469 Alfred Joseph Cornish

• Age: 29
• From: West Derby, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 28th March 1918
• Commemorated at: Pozieres Memorial
  Panel Ref: P21-23

Alfred Joseph Cornish was born on January 12th, 1889, the son of Alfred John Coade Cornish and his wife Martha (nee Dawson). Alfred was baptised at St. Silas' Church in Pembroke Place, Liverpool. His father, Alfred senior, was a postal clerk originally from Devon and Alfred’s mother was originally from Banbridge, Co.Down, Ireland. He had a brother, Norman John, and two sisters, Maria and Florence.

The 1891 Census shows Alfred Joseph as a two year old living at Edinburgh Road, Liverpool, with his parents and younger brother Norman J. who is a newborn. His father is a 27 year old clerk in the Post Office, his place of birth recorded as Exeter, Devon, whilst his mother is 26 years of age. Also present is 28 year old, dressmaker, Elizabeth Dawson, described as sister in law.  

Twin sisters Elizabeth and Florence died in infancy in 1895.

By the time of the 1901 Census, the family was living at 79 Leopold Road, Liverpool. Alfred J. is 12 years of age and is living with his parents and three siblings; Norman J. aged 10, Maria Lovey aged 7 and Florence E. V. aged 4. 

By 1911, the family had moved again to 40 Church Road, in Stanley, Liverpool. Alfred was now 22 years old and was recorded as being a student teacher. He lives with his parents and three siblings. His parents advise that they have been married for 23 years and have had six children of whom four have survived. His siblings are listed as; Norman J. now a 20 year old insurance clerk, Marie L. a 17 year old student and Florence E. V. aged 14 with no occupation shown. 

Alfred Joseph attended Chester College from 1911 until 1914, and he also attended the University of Liverpool. 

He enlisted in Liverpool on the 05^th September, 1914, aged 25 into the 19th Battalion of the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment as Private 21469. He was 25 years old. On enlisting, it is recorded that Alfred was a Schoolmaster.

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th 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. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

His father died in the March quarter of 1915, aged 53 whilst Alfred was in training.  

On 26^th March, 1916, he was promoted to unpaid Lance Corporal. This was later confirmed as being a fully paid Corporal in July 1916. He was wounded in 1917, but rejoined his unit just one month later in August 1917. He was killed in action on the 28^th March, 1918 aged 29 during the German Spring Offensive between Folies and Mézières.

The Battalion diary records the events of the day as follows:

During the morning the enemy attacked the troops on our right flank and succeeded in capturing ARVILLERS, menacing our right flank. Three companies of the Battalion had to be immediately echeloned backwards as protection, the Battalion engaging the enemy, who were attempting to come out of ARVILLERS. This position was held during heavy fighting until 2pm when the Battalion was informed that French troops had come into position in the rear. In order for the Division to be relieved the Battalion had to hold their ground whilst the 2^nd Bedfordshire Regt and 2^nd Bn. R.S.F.’s passed through on their way to the rear. At 4pm the Battalion commenced to move off in small parties, passing through the French, and marching through MEZIERES, MOREUIL to MORISEL where hot dinner was provided. The Battalion then formed up and moved up by companies to ROUVREL and were billeted for the night. By this time the total casualties had reached 23 Officers and 457 O.R.

Throughout his Army service Alf had been a member of the 19th Battalion Concert Party known as "The Duds". The wonderful photograph that we have of Alf is taken from a postcard of The Duds.  

Alfred's death was reported in the local press at the time of his death:

Liverpool Echo: Monday 22 April 1918

Liverpool Daily Post: Wednesday 24 April 1918 

CORNISH-March 28, killed in action, Corporal ALFRED JOSEPH CORNISH the dearly loved elder son of Martha and the late Alfred Cornish, of 40, church road, Stanley. – Deeply mourned by Mother, Sister and Brother.

CORNISH-March 28, killed in action, Corporal ALFRED JOSEPH CORNISH. Fondly remembered by Marie and Charlie (in France).

Alfred's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

The POZIERES MEMORIAL relates to the period of crisis in March and April 1918 when the Allied Fifth Army was driven back by overwhelming numbers across the former Somme battlefields, and the months that followed before the Advance to Victory, which began on 8 August 1918. The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918.

The cemetery and memorial were designed by W.H. Cowlishaw, with sculpture by Laurence A. Turner. The memorial was unveiled by Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien on 4 August 1930.

Soldiers Effects to mother Martha, sisters Florence E.V., Mrs Marie Loveys, and brother Norman John, Pension to Martha.

He is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 8

Liverpool University Memorial  situated in the entrance hall, Liverpool University Victoria Hall, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool.

Chester College

St Anne's Church, Stanley

Alfred earned his three medals. His Victory medal was offered for auction in 2014 as part of a set of six (all Liverpool Pals), the lot price £80-£120.

His mother died in the September quarter of 1937, aged 71.

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