Alfred John Adams

A Private with the 2nd Battalion, Alfred died on 18th of August 1916 at the age of 34. 

Alfred was born at Kessingland in 1883, a son John and Harriet Adams. In 1891 his family lived at a ‘cottage by Moss Road’ (sic), Kessingland. By 1901 they were living at Barn Road, Kessingland, and Alfred was a yardman on a farm. In 1911 they were still living at Barn Road, Kessingland, and Alfred was a farm labourer. 

Alfred enlisted in the Army at Bury St. Edmunds. He served with the Suffolk Regiment, service number 26788. William went to France in 1916 to join the 2nd Battalion. 

On 16 August 1916 the 2nd Battalion were at Guillemont and involved in an attack a feature known as Cochrane Alley where a German block-house was known to be a significant stronghold. The battalion made efforts to take, and hold, part of Cochrane Alley: work significantly hampered by machine-gun fire and enemy snipers. 

The battalion’s casualties from 16 to 18 August were:

Officers: one killed, eight wounded, one missing
Other ranks: 39 killed, 151 wounded, 80 missing

Alfred was killed in action ‘on or since 18 August 1916’.