Alan Horsman was born in Bradford around 1899, the son of Bradford-born egg and butter merchant Ernest E Horsman and his Welsh wife Jane. In 1901 the family were living at Dawson Street, Bradford but by 1911 the family, including Alan and his fellow scholar siblings Ernest, Lewis and Dorothy, were given as living at Highfield Farm where they had probably lived at least five years because 5-year-old Dorothy is the only child given as born in Idle. On 19 October 1917, the Shipley Times & Express published the following piece: L Cpl Alan Horsman, York and Lancaster Regt, elder son of Mr and Mrs Ernest Horsman of 211 Highfield Road, Idle, has been killed in action. The deceased soldier enlisted in March of last year when he was only 17 years of age and he had been 15 months in France. Before joining up he was employed at the Bradford office of a well-

known firm of insurance brokers and he was an enthusiastic worker in connection with the Upper Chapel Boy Scouts, being acting scoutmaster at one stage. His parents have received a letter from his officer, Sec Lieut Stanley Walker, who says: “I was within a few yards of your son when a shell burst and killed him instantly. “I examined him personally and came to the conclusion that he had been killed by the shock as he had not been hit in any way. “This brave lad was in my platoon. I took a personal interest in him and recognised in him a splendid soldier. He was one of the most cheery, pleasant and popular men in the company. “All the platoon and myself join in sympathy with you in your great bereavement and trust he is now safely resting in peace in God’s hands. Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.”