Private Alfred Holmes aged 30

Alfred was born on 11th August 1888 in Ovenden to William and Kezia Holmes. He was the third of 7 children, with brothers John, James and Harry and sisters Margaret, Mary and Eliza Jane. The family moved to Brown Hill Farm on Thorney Lane in the 1880’s and in the 1891 census his father William is listed as a Wool sorter and farmer. In 1911 Alfred is working as a Quarryman having formerly been a worsted doffer. Alfred’s three brothers would have all qualified for war service, but their service records haven’t survived. The Providence United Methodist Sunday School roll of honour that now resides in the Midgley Community room records that Alfred, James and Harry Holmes all enlisted. Alfred and James are also mention on the Roll of honour for the Luddenden Dean Wesleyan chapel. His brother James was injured around the same time as Alfred and their injuries were reported in the same edition of the Halifax Courier on 5th May 1917. Alfred, whose service records do survive, joined up on 11 December 1915 with the Northumberland Fusiliers. (service number 33463) and was posted to France on 11 May 1916. The injury that was reported in the Halifax Courier was received on the 22 April 1917 during the second battle of Arras. He was digging an advanced trench when he was hit by shrapnel which shattered the upper bone of his left arm. He was operated on in a field hospital and then again at the Westminster Hospital in London where his arm was held in place by a splint whilst it healed. This was followed by several months of recuperation at a hospital in East Grinstead. He was discharged from the Army in October 1917 with restricted movement of both his shoulder joint and elbow joint so could probably no longer use a rifle.

Back at home, Albert moved in with his brother John at 4 Thorney Lane, where he worked as a Cattleman for the next 18 months, but he had by this time contracted TB and died on 17th March 1919. He does not appear to have a recognised war grave.