Dates:
Born in 1877 in Bethnal Green
Address:
44a, Newlands Park Sydenham
He was almost 40 when he was called up in 1917, married he worked as a boot maker and was a member of the Bible Brotherhood
War Service
Alfred attested on 17 May 1916 and was called up on 8 February 1917 to serve in the Buffs. He appeared before the Military Service Tribunal, at Maidstone in March 1917 to appeal his conscription to an active unit, but his appeal was dismissed. While with the Buffs he was employed mending uniforms, so it would appear that although his appeal had been dismissed there was some acceptance of his conscientious objection.
He was transferred on 6 February 1918 to the 3 Durham Light Infantry, and deserted on 27 July 1918 while under orders for embarkation
Conscientious Objection during the First World War:
Alfred was arrested at 10.25am on the same day as his desertion and was court martialed at Colchester on 2 August. The fact that he had attested was now held against him and he was sentenced to 2 years hard labour and was sent to Wormwood Scrubs prison. On 10 October the the Central Tribunal there found him to be a true conscientious objector who was willing to serve in the Non-Combatant Corps and on 25 October 1918 he was transferred to the 2 Southern division of the NCC.
After the First World War:
Source:
Cyril Pearce, University of Leeds, Pearce Register of British Conscientious Objectors
Ann O'Brien, Volunteer Lewisham Local History and Archives Centre, 2 January 2017
This wiki is still being developed and subject to change. Please bear with us until it is completed. If you have any suggestions for improvements or inclusions please let us know. Click here to contact us
by Local History and Archives Centre, Lewisham and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
