Cllr and Mrs H Lord, the Wicket, Calverley heard that their only son, Pte Alfred Clifford Lord, of 1/6 West Yorks had been killed in action on night of 22 October. Pte Lord joined the colours in the first fortnight of the war. He had been out at the front for eight months and had been wounded on two occasions prior to receiving the wounds from which he died. He was born in Calverley and attended the Parish Church School. For several years he was a chorister at the Parish Church. After leaving school he worked in the employ of Messrs John Walton and Son, until the time of enlistment and was held in high esteem by his fellow employees. He took an active part in the Church Lads Brigade and the Sunday School cricket and football clubs. He was highly respected by all of his numerous associates and profound regret was felt throughout

the village when the sad news of his death became known. Flags were hoisted half mast at the Parish Church, the Conservative Club and Messrs J Walton and Sons. He was only 18 years of age. The news arrived in a letter from Lieut W N Mossop who says that Pte Lord was wounded on the night of October 22nd and died a few hours later in hospital. Wounded ‘He was wounded while digging in the trenches and I understand that he never regained consciousness so that we must be thankful that he suffered no pain. ‘We shall all miss him very much indeed as he was always most cheerful and willing. On behalf of myself and my men I wish to convey to you our most sincere sympathy in the sad loss you have sustained. ‘It may perhaps be some consolation to you to know that

your son was a good soldier – always punctilious in the performance of his duties – and that he died, not only in the cause of his King and country, but in the greatest cause of all – the cause of humanity.’ Gallant soldier Capt R A Fawcett wrote: ‘Your son was shot last night in doing a very dangerous bit of work. He could feel no pain as he became unconscious immediately. ‘Everything was done for him that could be done but he died before he reached the ambulance. Your loss is our loss for he was a very gallant soldier indeed, feared nothing and was always cheerful, helping others to be the same.’ A letter expressing sympathy was read from Messrs J Walton and Son and the following was also read: ‘On behalf of the weavers, tuners and other workers in the shed, please accept our sincere sympathy with you in the

loss you have sustained by the death of your son Alfred. ‘His death in action is a proof of his devotion to his country and it only reflects what his devotion to his work would have been had circumstances been more favourable. ‘He was well liked by all his fellow-workers and his place will be vacant in our minds for a long time to come. ‘We trust that you be somewhat comforted by knowing that your son enjoyed the confidence of us all. We are on behalf of the Lydgate Mills Weaving Shed Workers, Louis P Busfield, F Claude Busfield, H Gilbert Marshall, Alf Womersley, George Grimshaw. Shipley Times & Express 29-10-1915 The following week, the newspaper reported that the Church Lads’ Brigade held a special church parade and sounded the Last Post in honour of Alfred

I am grateful to Leon Kamps for sending me the photo of Alfred’s headstone in Belgium