Born: 1897, Calverley
Died: 22 October 1915
Buried: Ferme-Olivier Cemetery
Address: The Wickets, 12 Towngate, Calverley
Parents: Cllr James Henry & Isabella
Spouse:
Siblings: Elsie & Kathleen Elizabeth
Occupation: John Walton & Son
Organisations/clubs: Church Lads Brigade
Military
Rank: Pte
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour:
Children:
Regiment: West Yorkshire
Alfred Clifford Lord
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 21 September.
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.
‘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.’
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