Pte Alfred Wortley (Methwold) 10th Canadians, died of wounds May 1915

This picture appeared in the edition of the Norwich Mercury dated 10th July 1915 along with the following caption:-

 

METHWOLD’S FIRST LOSS.

Private Alfred Wortley, of the 2nd Canadian Contingent, youngest son of Mr. John Wortley, sen., Garden House, Methwold, who was wounded at Ypres on May 22nd, and died the next day. He is the first Methwold man to fall in the present war.

 

When I researched the names on the Methwold War Memorial in 2019 I could not find a match in the military records for the Alfred Wortley Waters who was listed.

 

Now I can see he is:-

 

Private…………….. WORTLEY, A

Service Number….. 81988

Died……………….. 23/05/1915

Unit:…………………10th Bn.Canadian Infantry

Buried at AIRE COMMUNAL CEMETERY

Location: Pas de Calais, France

Cemetery/memorial reference: I. B. 17.

Source: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/467584/wortley,-/

 

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission on it page relating to the Aire Communal Cemetery notes:-

Aire is a town about 14 Kms south-south-east of St. Omer. From March 1915 to February 1918, Aire was a busy but peaceful centre used by Commonwealth forces as corps headquarters. The Highland Casualty Clearing Station was based there as was the 39th Stationary Hospital (from May 1917) and other medical units. Plot I contains burials from this period.

Source: www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/53600/aire-communal...

 

The Canadian Service record for Alfred can be viewed online at the Canadian National Archive although there are issues with some of the pages.

central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B1...

 

Alfred attested on the 14th December 1914 at Winnipeg, Manitoba. He stated he was born Methwold, England on the 26th June 1882(?tbc although the age also appears to be stated as 32 years and 5 months – but all the relevant pages are incredibly poorly scanned). He was single and working as a Farmer. He gave his next of kin as John William Wortley of Garden House, Methwold. He had no previous military experience.

 

He had a dark complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. He had no distinctive marks.

 

He was issued with service number 81988 and initially posted to the 32nd Battalion.

 

Alfred sailed from Halifax aboard the S.S. Vaderland on the 23rd February 1915 with that Battalion.

 

He left the UK for France on the 26th April 1915. He was subsequently transferred to the 10th Battalion on the same day.

 

He was admitted to No.5 Canadian Field Ambulance on the 22nd May 1915 with Gunshot Wounds to Shoulder and Chest.

 

He is recorded as having died of wounds on the 23rd May 1915 while on board Barge C No.2 Ambulance Flotilla. He had Gun shot wounds to his shoulder and chest.

 

There is a card that appears to date from 1921 which references a daughter, Miss Lilian Agnes Wortley whose address was given as c\o Mrs. Mary A Lock, California Cottages, Fincham, Downham Market, Norfolk, England. It is stated that at that point the mother and father are deceased and the widow is believed to be deceased.

 

1881 or 1882 – Birth?.........

 

I had previously tried tracking down some of the younger family members, as there was no obvious birth record in Norfolk for an Alfred Wortley or an Alfred Waters during the right period.

 

The birth of a Henry Wortley (surname) Waters, mothers’ maiden name Brown, was registered with the Civil Authorities in the Thetford District in Q3 1878.

 

The birth of a Herbert Wortley (surname) Waters, mothers’ maiden name Brown, was registered with the Civil Authorities in the Thetford District in Q3 1880.

 

The birth of a Freda Eva Waters, mothers’ maiden name Brown, was registered with the Civil Authorities in the Thetford District in Q4 1883.

 

But even a search for Alfred’s registered in the Thetford District 1881-83, doesn’t bring up any obvious matches – but a check of FreeBMD yielded a result on a search for Waters registered in the Thetford District in that time frame. The birth of an Alf Wortley (with surname) Waters was registered in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1881. Checking my other sources to find out why this match had not been returned I find the first name has been transcribed as “Alfwortley” Waters, with no mothers’ maiden name as yet available.

 

I could not find an online baptism record for him as yet.

 

1891 Census of England and Wales

 

There is no obvious match for Alfred Wortley Waters or his family on this census, but working back from the details on the 1901 Census there is a Wortley family recorded living at an unspecified address at Methwold. Parents were John Wortley, a 49 year old Farmer from Methwold, and Mary Ann Wortley, aged 48 and on this census stated to have been born Northwold, Norfolk. Their children living with them, all unmarried, are:-

Louisa M. ……aged 22…born Methwold

Mary Jane……aged 20….born Methwold

Robert………..aged 16….born Methwold…Farm Servant

George……….aged 14….born Methwold…Farm Servant

Henry………...aged 12…..born Methwold…Farm Servant

Herbert……….aged 10…..born Methwold

Alfred………..aged 9……born Methwold

Freda E………aged 7……born Methwold

 

On the 1892 edition of the Norfolk Register of Electors a John Wortley is recorded as entitled to vote in County Council and Civil Parish elections as he had land and tenement, (i.e. most likely a Tenant Farmer) known as the Garden House and Templash, Methwold.

Source: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2HB9-3Q4

 

1901 Census of England and Wales

 

The 19 year old Alfred Wortley Waters, (surname Waters), an unmarried Farmers Son born Methwold, was recorded living at a dwelling on Holmes Green, Methwold. This was the household of his parents John Wortley Waters, (aged 59, a Farmer, born Methwold), and Mary Ann Waters, (aged 58, born Methwold). As well as Alfred their other unmarried children living with them are:

Robert Wortley Waters……aged 26…Groom Gardener

Herbert Wortley Waters…..aged 20….Farmers Son

They were both born Methwold.

 

1902 – Marriage……………………….

 

The marriage of an Alf Wortley (surname) Waters, aged 21 and a bachelor, to the 17 year old Florence May Lock, a spinster, took place at St George, Methwold, on the 5th July 1902. Alf was living at Methwold and was the son of John Wortley (surname) Waters, a Farmer. Florence also lived at Methwold and was the daughter of Mills Lock, an Engine Driver. Witnesses were Mills Lock and Bertha Frances Lock.

Source: www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/581837cee93790eb7f634ee...

 

The 1901 Census listed Mills with a wife Harriet and a 16 year old daughter Florence, born Thurlton, Norfolk.

 

At a subsequent probate hearing in 1920 in the Dauphin Judicial District of Manitoba, Canada into an application made by Robert Wortley of Methwold, he has made a sworn statement before a Notary Public that Alfred was married at the time he deceased and that the marriage had produced a daughter Lillian Agnes Wortley, who was born on the 21st September 1902. However to the best of his knowledge the couple had lived apart since 1902 and at the time of the declaration, (25th November 1919), he did not know the whereabouts of the widow and child.

 

A similar statement was made by another brother, Harry, who also confirms the bona fides of the handwriting of the letters - the will actually consisted of letters he had written to Wortley family members and were submitted as evidence of his intentions for the disposal of his estate in the event of his death.

 

Robert was applying for administration in his capacity as executor of his fathers will, as Alfred had left his land in Manitoba to the father.

Source: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKBT-3877

 

July 1907 – emigration………………

 

Alf Wortley, a 26 year old unmarried Farm Labourer born England, was recorded bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia aboard the Carthaginian in July 1907. He intended to stay as a one off British Bonus was paid out to him.

Source: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2QS8-ZR8

 

1911 Census of Canada……………..

 

An Alfred Wortley, single and born England in June 1882 was recorded living in the household of his employer William MacDonald, a Farmer at Marquette, District 19, Manitoba. Unfortunately the year of emigration has been left blank. He gives his nationality as Canadian. His earnings for the year of 1910 was $700.

www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-CZDT

 

1911 Census of England and Wales

 

His 69 year old widower father, John Wortley Waters, a Farmer were recorded living at The Garden House, Methwold. This was actually the household of his married son Henry Wortley Waters, (aged 32). Henry lives there with his wife of 8 years, Ellen Waters, and their four children, all surname Waters.

 

To add to the complication with tracking down this man, there is a potential match for his father-in-law, Mills Lock on this census. Aged 50 and an Engine Driver, he was living on Globe Street, Methwold. I was checking in case either his daughter Florence was living with him, or if there was an indication from the number of the children the marriage of Mills and his wife had produced, whether Florence was still alive. Trouble is that Mills is recorded as single, although he does state he has had 1 child and that the child is still alive.

 

As well as a widowed housekeeper, also in the household Mills had a grand-daughter living with him , the 8 year old Lily Lock, born Methwold. So if Mills had one child and his grand-daughter was a Lock, the likely implications are that his only child was a son, a single parent daughter, of a daughter who married a Lock. But in fact there is no birth recorded for a Lily Lock in the Thetford District, which might have helped resolve that. What there is is the birth of a Lily Agnes Waters, mothers’ maiden name “Locke”, which was recorded in the Thetford District in Q4 1902.

 

There does appear to be a candidate for Florence on the 1911 Census of England & Wales.

 

 

On the day…………………………….

 

In the Battle of Kitcheners Wood on the 22nd April 1915 the 10th Battalion were instrumental in stopping a German breakthrough after a gas attack. However they suffered nearly 75% casualties - no doubt this was the reason Alfred was rushed out to France on the 26th. In the letters included in the probate case referenced above, he apologised to his brother for not being able to visit but it was down to the short notice they were sent overseas, with the 32nd Battalion being disbanded and a draft sent to the 10th.

 

Reg. No 81988

B Coys

10. Batt

C.E.F.

April 29 1915

 

Dear Harry

 

I am writing you these few lines to let you know that I am at the front now. I would very much liked to have come and see you before leaving England but I tried my best to get away but I couldn’t make it. Guess you were expecting to see me at the fair well I was looking forward for that to but I couldn’t get away well boy this weather is just grand out here its quite warm enough in the daytime but a little cold at night. I didn’t have a chance to write to you to tell you that I was leaving Shorncliff as we only got a very short notice. Well as I am writing this I can hear the guns quite plainly and it sounds a lot like the first of September in England. Well our old battaliom is broken up and we form a part of the 10 Battalion now. Well I hope this will find you as well as it leaves me fine and dandy felias(?). Let the others know as I won’t be able to write to all. I can’t tell you much as we are not aloud to say were we are so I guess I will close now with love to all from yours very sincerely,

 

A Wortley.

 

Battalion War Diary

 

6th May 1915 Merris

 

(Part) A draft arrived from ENGLAND. These were men of average physic but green and untried, as expected very few of them had ever fired a shot and none had fired(?) their musketry course before being sent out, nor during their enlistment in NOVEMBER 1914.

(Side note, 18 Officers, 346 Other Ranks)

 

(The battalion returned to the front line on the 19th).

 

20th May 1915

 

All the fire trench, all old BRITISH trench were heavily shelled, especially the line facing from M3 to K1 in prolongation of WILLOW ROAD.

7.45 pm. Bn. ordered to make an attack on the ENEMY redoubt at K5, this attack failed as no previous reconnaissance had been made.

The bombardment preparing for this attack had been quite ineffectual and had not actually touched K5. The troops detailed for the attack were in open view of the ENEMY when crossing the gap near K2. The attack had been set for one hour before dusk. The only approach to K5 was through a narrow communication trench which was completely covered by the M.GUN fire of the ENEMY. The leading men of the attack were all shot down. The O.C. (MAJPR P.C. GUTHRIE) considering any further attempt would only lead to unnecessary loss of life discontinued the attack. During the night further reconnaissance was carried out near K2.

 

KILLED by shell LIEUT. G. TODHUNTER.

WOUNDED by shell HON. CAPT. C.T. COSTIGAN

 

21st May 1915.

 

Attack was postponed from dawn until dusk.

5.00 pm. Our artillery commemced preparation for the attack and put up splendid work.

8.00 pm. The attack was launched and 225 yards gained with small loss, a barricade was improvised in a communication trench within 60 yards from ENEMY, at point of (8.34 pm) intersection with ENEMY main trench, facing half left from this position was K5. Progress was here impeded by heavy machine gun fire from the ENEMY. The troops had been got ready for this rush by cutting gaps in our parapet through which the men moved and got formed up for the rush. For the attack the troops had been formed into two bodies, the left party being unsuccessful in gaining their object but the party going to the right having less obstruction proceeded a distance of about 425 yards passing K4, they then halted and put up a barricade, but were open to an attack from K5. “D” Co. which had then moved forward as the attack developed and progressed was pushed forward and occupied the space between the two ATTACKING PARTIES; and A Company of the 5th CANADIAN. BN. moved up into support, occupying the communication trench to a point 50 yards from K.4.

“A” Co of the 7th CANADIAN DN. Was moved up to the trench vacataed by “A” and “B” Co. of 10th BN when they advanced. A working party with engineers was immediately put to work to consolidate the captured trenches.

 

KILLED

LIEUT. W.A. REEVE

“ J.A. THOMPSON

“ A.N. MORGAN

“ S.E. LEWIS

WOUNDED

MAJOR E.J. ASHTON

CAPT. H.P. SNELGROVE

LIEUT. W.N. KNOWLES

“ O.J. WHEATLEY

“ R.F. FAIRBROTHER

“ J. FINN

“ W. ROMERIL

 

22nd May 1915

DAWN.

At dawn and on three separate occasions during the day the ENEMY made attacks on the captured positions and were repulsed with heavy losses to them. The position was subjected to a most terrific bombardment from the ENEMY and during the forenoon, about 50 yards closes to the ENEMY was shelled so heavily that the parapets were flattened down, all the occupants being killed, so that this position was abandoned and was not subsequently occupied by either force. The attack on the previous evening was a complete success and was carried out as ordered. The Battalion lost 18 Officers and about 250 other ranks, killed wounded and missing

 

KILLED

CAPT. R.H. STEWART

LIEUT. G.G. DUNCAN

By shell which hit Bn. H.Q.

 

 

Mildly photoshopped to minimise impact of damage present on the original image.

Done