Alfred was born in Loddon on 6 February 1895. His parents were William and Phoebe Moore. They had eleven children, one of whom died.
His siblings were;
George Falgate born 1879
Emily Jane born 1881, died same year
Annie Louisa born 1882
Daisy Elizabeth born 1883
Alice Virtue born 1885
Flora Rosina born 1886
Harriet Emily born 1889
Phoebe Emma born 1890
Frederick Charles born 1893
Harry Frederick 1898
In 1901 and 1911 the family lived in Shotesham Lane in Saxlingham Nethergate. His father was a market gardener.
In 1911 Alfred was working in an hotel in the Prince of Wales Road, Norwich. His occupation was given as a servant working as an Under Boots.
He enlisted in the regular army, The East Anglian Royal Field Artillery on 5 September 1913. Prior to enlisting he was working as a gardener for Captain W.H.B Long in Bracondale Woods, Norwich. (William Aldis from Saxlingham also worked for Captain Long as a chauffeur. Captain Long had previously lived in the village)
He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a 3inch chest and very good vision and physical development. His service number was1146. His parents address was given as Becketts Lane Saxlingham Nethergate.
On 27 April 1915 he was admitted to a hospital in Norwich with measles. He was discharged 13 days later on 10 May 1915. He had no complications from the illness.
In May 1915 he was examined and found fit for Imperial Service. He transferred to 272 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and was posted abroad on 10 July 1915. His service number was 876747.
He served in Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine.
In December 1915 he was involved in loading a boat with the Anzacs in Gallipoli. He suffered a strain and this resulted in his having a left inguinal hernia. He was admitted to a Stationary Hospital in Mudros on Lemnos island. There were two Australian Stationary hospitals on the island in December 1915 They were treating men with a variety of conditions including typhoid and frostbite as well as injuries. The hospitals were tented and left the area in January 1916 when the troops retreated.
Alfred’s fitness was reclassified as B1.
Australian Stationary Hospital, Mudros, Lemnos
He went on to serve in Palestine and Egypt until the end of the war.
On 25 May 1919 he was examined at the British Transport Camp, Port Said in Egypt and it was decided that he was no longer fit for military service. This was because of the hernia which he had to manage with a truss. As it had happened because of his war service he was given a gratuity of £35 and discharged from the army.
He was discharged on 7 July 1919.
He returned to Norfolk. Banns of marriage were read in August 1922. He married Elsie May Felgate in Loddon. She was born 11 March 1895 and came from Ellingham
They had four children. Three of whom were born in Saxlingham Nethergate.
Leonard W Moore born 19 September 1924
Margaret Mary Moore born 20 May 1927
Ronald E Moore born 6 December 1928
David J Moore born 17 June 1938 in Surlingham.
The family were still living in Saxlingham with Alfred’s mother Phoebe in 1931.
By 1939 they had moved to live at The Willows, Surlingham and Alfred worked as a market gardener. His mother was also living with them.
Alfred lived at the same address for the rest of his life. He died 17 October 1976 in the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, Norwich. His wife had died four years previously. He is buried in Surlingham Churchyard.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death index 1837-2005
UK Census Collection
British Army Medal Roll Index cards, 1914-1920
1939 Register- www.findmypast.co.uk
Norfolk Electoral Rolls-Southern Division Saxlingham Nethergate and Thorpe, (Absent Voters Lists 1918-1920) (1920-1931)
British Army Pension Records
Norfolk, Church of England Diocesan Banns, Saxlingham Nethergate
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar 1858-1995
Varley/ Pinching family tree. www.ancestry.co.uk
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee Inc. photograph of hospital at Mudros. ( Original photograph, courtesy of Australian War Memorial)
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person, please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk