Alfred George Raven

A Private with 7th Bn., Alfred died on 26th of September 1915 at the age of 21. 

Note: Some records give Alfred's first name as Albert. These include Commonwealth War Graves, Soldiers Died in the Great War and some Census returns. However, when he was born he was registered as Alfred, he was baptised as Alfred and when he enlisted in the Army he gave his first name as Alfred (see service papers at WO 363).

Alfred was born at Barnby on 8 February 1894, a son of Robert and late Sarah Eliza Raven. He was baptised at Saint John the Baptist Church, Barnby, on 20 May 1894. In 1901 they lived 'near Ivy Farm', Beccles Road, Carlton Colville. By 1911 Alfred's mother had died and his father married Harriet. In 1911 his family lived at 7 Beccles Road, Oulton Broad.

In 1911 Alfred was living at 39 Sheepwash Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire, and Albert worked as a pony driver in a coal mine. He lodged with Ethel and Harry Worrall. Ethel was born at Oulton Broad and her maiden name was Baldry. Also living with them was Ethel's brother Arthur who was the same age as Alfred and also a pony driver. 

Alfred volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Mansfield on 25 September 1914. At the time he was living at Mansfield and working as a coal-miner (loader). He joined the Leicestershire Regiment, number 12675. On 5 September 1914 he was posted to the 7th Battalion. 

On 29 July 1915 Alfred, along with the other men of the 7th Battalion embarked the S.S. Onward at Folkestone and sailed to Boulogne. From 4 to 14 August 1915 the men were sent, half a battalion at a time, on attachment to other units in the Locre, Belgium area to learn the routine of occupying trenches. 

Alfred was awarded one day's Field Punishment No 1 on 4 September 1915. This would have been at Bienvillers while the Battalion were in trenches. 

We do not know exactly when Alfred was wounded, but the Battalion War Diary states that, from 11 September to 17 September, while in trenches at Bienvillers, they had four men wounded on the 12th; one man wounded on the 14th; and three men wounded on the 16th. Then, from 18 to 23 September 1915, while they were in billets at Bienvillers, they had one man killed, one who died of wounds, and six wounded while digging. Given that they had no casualties after 23 September and that Alfred is buried at Bienvillers, it can be inferred that he was wounded at Bienvillers at some point between 11 and 23 September 1915. 

When Alfred made his will his sole legatee was Ethel Worrall and so when Alfred died it was Ethel, rather than Alfred's father or siblings, that the Army contacted. The Army sent Alfred's personal effects to Ethel. These included: one identity disc, four photos, two letters, a pipe and tobacco. 

Alfred's brother Christopher died in 1915 and his brother Thomas died in 1924 as a result of his war service.