Alfred Willetts Sgt 4th Worcs Reg. No 11479 KILLED IN Jo A

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Alfred Willetts Sgt 4th Worcs Reg. No 11479 KILLED IN Jo A

Postby rockyfowler » Mon Dec 21, 2015 11:36 am

http://www.stpeterscradley.org/#!alf-willetts/c2yy

Alfred Willetts
Sergeant 4th Worcs Reg. No 11479 KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE APRIL 24. 1917 AGED 29 YEARS
Sergeant Alfred Willetts was born at Two Gates, Cradley and was the youngest member of his family.
He left school aged 13 to become an iron moulders apprentice and like his father attended of Two Gates Ragged School
Alf had joined the army about six years before war broke out enlisting in the 3rd Worcesters and serviced in India and Burma, returning to England in February 1915.
Alf was soon back in action and was mentioned by his commanding officer for “good and gallant service” in the Dardanelles where he had been wounded and evacuated to St. George’s Hospital, Malta. Alf wrote on inside pages of his bible that on 1st May 1915 he had been wounded and that the bible in his side pocket had turned the bullet and probably saved his life.
Later, on Monday, April 23rd 1917 Alf was killed in action at Arras, France whilst bringing in a wounded soldier. He was struck by a dum-dum bullet which killed him.
Corpl. Cooper, of the same company said, “He was one of the bravest men I have ever known, and he was liked and respected by every man in the regiment.”
In Cradley Non-conformist graveyard is the grave of Alfred’s parents James and Eliza and on their headstone is a memorial to Alfred. The headstone reads:-

Previous Page
POST CODE: B63 2UP
ADDRESS: Cradley Cemetery, Homer Hill Road, Cradley
GPS Location: N. 52.46440336 W. -2.08957088
Memorial Location: In former non-conformist section
IN LOVING MEMORY
OF
JAMES WILLETTS
WHO PASSED AWAY FEBY 6. 1915
AGED 68 YEARS
ALSO OF ELIZA HIS BELOVED WIFE
WHO PASSED AWAY MARCH 24. 1912
AGED 64 YEARS
ALSO OF ALFRED WILLETTS THEIR YOUNGEST SON
KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE APRIL 24. 1917
AGED 29 YEARS
Last edited by rockyfowler on Tue Dec 22, 2015 12:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Alfred Willetts Sergeant 4th Worcs Reg. No 11479 KILLE

Postby Jimmy » Mon Dec 21, 2015 9:00 pm

1901. Beecher Street, Cradley.
James Willetts 52. Loaded coal wharf.
Eliza Willetts 53.
James Willetts 25. Son.
Harry Willetts 23. Son.
Joseph Willetts 21. Son.
Mary Willetts 18. Dau.
Sarah E Willetts 16. Dau.
Alfred Willetts 13. Son. Iron moulder apprentice.
Alice Higgs 36. Niece.

All born Cradley.
Just trying to do my bit for BCC, bringing families back together.
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Re: Alfred Willetts Sergeant 4th Worcs Reg. No 11479 KILLE

Postby Northern Lass » Tue Dec 22, 2015 9:46 am

will add this cos think he belongs to this family??

http://bcconnections.tribalpages.com/tr ... =688928101


any cwgc on him pls

and what does link say pls cant open cos browser old.
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Re: NL--Alfred Willetts Sgt 4th Worcs Reg. No 11479 KILLED

Postby grangers14 » Thu Dec 31, 2015 11:52 am

CWGC just says...

Willetts, Alfred.
Rank, Serjeant
Service no 11479
Date of Death 23/14/1917
Regiment/Service Worcestershire Regiment 4th Bn
Panel Reference Bay 6
Memorial Arras Memorial
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Re: Alfred Willetts Sergeant 4th Worcs Reg. No 11479 KILLE

Postby grangers14 » Thu Dec 31, 2015 1:08 pm

Northern Lass wrote:will add this cos think he belongs to this family??

http://bcconnections.tribalpages.com/tr ... =688928101


any cwgc on him pls

and what does link say pls cant open cos browser old.



I dont think that is the right family on BCC

1871. Two Gates, Cradley.
James Willetts, head, 21, Puddler,
Eliza, wife, 23,
Both Born Cradley

1881.Townhouse Lane, Cradley.
James Willetts, head, 31, Carter,
Eliza, wife, 32,
John T, son, 8,
James, son, 6,
Harry, son, 4,
Joseph, son, 1
All born Cradley

1891. Two Gates, Cradley.
James Willetts, head, 42, Wharf Labourer,
Eliza, wife, 44,
Thomas, son, 18, ? riveter,
James, son, 15, Drapers assistant,
Harry, son, 13, Farm labourer,
Joseph, son, 11, Farm labouer,
Mary Elizabeth, daur, 8,
Sarah Ellen, daur, 6,
Alfred, son, 3,
All born Cradley

1901. As Jimmy said.

1911. Windmill Hill Cradley Heath
James Willetts, head, 64, Labourer above ground, Cradley
Eliza Willetts, wife, 66, married 44 years, 11 children, 7 living,
James, Willetts, son, 36, S, Carter,
Harry Willetts, 34, S, Stoker,
Mary Elizabeth, daur, 27, S, Dress maker
All others born Two Gates

Wonder if it could be this one?
http://bcconnections.tribalpages.com/tr ... ver=357756
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Re: NL--Alfred Willetts Sgt 4th Worcs Reg. No 11479 KILLED

Postby grangers14 » Thu Dec 31, 2015 3:49 pm

Has anyone listened to the recording?
I may be getting muddled but I am sure it says Mrs James Willetts was informed Alfred had fallen??
But it is noted on the grave she died 1912??

I am certain the family have had put is correct because of the address...
I will start to add.
Jo :)
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Re: Alfred Willetts Sgt 4th Worcs Reg. No 11479 KILLED IN

Postby grangers14 » Thu Dec 31, 2015 4:40 pm

I have added here...
http://bcconnections.tribalpages.com/tr ... =118742236

I haven't linked the link RF put?
Jo :)
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Re: Alfred Willetts Sgt 4th Worcs Reg. No 11479 KILLED IN

Postby Northern Lass » Fri Jan 01, 2016 8:49 am

Thanks Jo you happy with it all then?
cos I not time at mo to sort.

can you add link in if you think ok to add as I cant open it.

I added it prev.

and thanks RF

can you move back to military researching individs pls....... Jo when done pls :wink:
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