Notes on some of those mentioned in the Great Waltham pedigree, PDF or GIF (poorer quality, but with links).
World War I pension records show two periods of service in the Essex Regiment, although the details of only the second appear in this set of documents. His first period of service was with the 1st Essex Regiment, he being discharged on the termination of his period of engagement. On 29 Sep 1914, he re-enlisted at Stratford in the Army Reserve, for one year, giving his address as 4 Plough Lane, Homerton. He was discharged at Warley on 3 Aug 1916 as no longer being physically fit, having actually served for 1 year 310 days. The record of his "Campaigns, Medals and decorations" says: Home 29.9.14 to 3.8.16 and Egyptian 1884-5 & Khedive Star. The latter was presumably for one or more of the operations known as The Nile (Wolseley's expedition to Khartoum to rescue General Gordon), Abu Klea, Kirbekan, Suakin and Tofrek.
Son of the above, worked as a carman. Joined the 16th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers on 19 Jan 1915, but was discharged on 22 May 1915 on medical grounds, being declared "quite unfit to be a soldier". No more precise details appear in the pension records. He was awarded a gratuity of £15.
Mentioned in the book, Echoes of the Great War: The Diary of the Reverend Andrew Clark, 1914-19 (Clark, 1985), where he is called 'Alix' Alefounder. "Snippets" are available from Google Books, and from these it is clear that he made hurdles – temporary fencing for sheep. He was therefore a vital part of the local economy, there being no other hurdle makers in the vicinity. According to Clark (1985), this fact was used by a certain Mr T. Stoddart in an attempt to have him excused military service in World War I. What he should have done was to use a reason of far more relevance to the military authorities: 'Alix' Alefounder suffered from asthma. It seems that he was eventually classed as unfit on 31 May 1917.
A baker; joined the merchant navy in 1919, keeping that occupation. His identity certificate, now in Southampton Archives, lists the registered numbers of the ships he served in: 119697 on 2.7.1919 and 30.12.1919, and 124590 on 9.1920. According to the Mariners Mailing List web site, these correspond to Mamari built in 1904, UK (119697) and Remuera, built in 1911, UK (124590). He eventually settled in New Zealand.
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Last updated 7th March 2007 by Peter Alefounder |
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