Alfred Frederick Humphreys
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Alfred Frederick (Frederic) was the son of Thomas and Priscilla Humphreys (née Gamble).
His parents were born Nottingham, his father Thomas in 1874 and his mother Priscilla in 1878. They were married in 1898 (reg. OND Nottingham) and had two sons, Alfred Frederick b. 11 October 1899 and William birth registered 1902 (JAS) who were both born in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
Priscilla Gamble was the daughter of Christopher and Hannah Gamble (née Miller) who were married at Nottingham St Mary on 24 February 1857. The couple had at least six children, William birth reg. 1854 (JFM), Samuel b. 1866, Christopher b. abt. 1869, Elizabeth b. 1870, Arthur birth reg. 1873 (JFM) and Priscilla b. 1878. The family was living at 21 Sydney Street, Nottingham in 1881 and at the same address in 1891 although by this date only Arthur and Priscilla were still living at home. The eldest daughter, Elizabeth, had married Albert Seaton in 1889 (reg. Nottingham); the couple had three sons, Horace (b. 1889), Francis (b. 1896) and Walter (b. 1898).
Thomas Humphreys, a slater, Priscilla and their son Alfred were living at Gordon Villas, 1 Prittlewell, Rochford, Essex, in 1901. Their son William was born the following year. Priscilla died aged 27 in 1905 (reg. Rochford, Essex).
Thomas Humphreys married secondly Lily Giles (b. 1885) at St Mark, Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets, on 25 October 1908 (witnesses Alfred and Nellie Humphreys). Thomas and Lily, his son William (Willie) and their daughter Ellen Lilian (11m. b. 1910 d. 1911 JAS), were living at 63 St Paul, West Ham, Stratford East, in 1911. There was also a son, James Thomas b. 1908 (reg. Jan 1909), who has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census.
Thomas enlisted in the Army in October 1914 (see 'Extra information'). His service record names his two sons, Alfred and William, by his first marriage and also James Thomas, John William (b. 1911 reg. 1912 JFM), Emma Elizabeth (b. 1913) and Lily Violet (b. 1918); another daughter, Ellen Lilian, had died in 1911. Thomas and Lily were to have at least four more children, Florence (b. 1920), Bartholomew (b. 1921), George T. (birth reg. 1923 JFM) and Doris L. (b. 1925). Thomas was employed as a slater/tiler by the Port of London Authority (Engineers Department) on his discharge from the Army and the family was living at 85 Jersey Road, Custom House, London, at the time of the 1921 Census. Thomas's widow, Lily, was still living at the same address in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Also in the home were six of her children John, Stoker RN (LX83514), Lily (later Pryor), Florence (later Lucking), Bartholomew, George and Doris (later Newscombe).
Although it seems that Thomas's youngest son, William, continued to live with his father after his mother's death, by 1911 his brother Alfred (12) was living at 22 Lindum Grove, Meadow Lane, Nottingham, with his maternal aunt, Elizabeth and her husband, Albert Seaton, a general dealer. Also in the home were their three sons Horace, also a general dealer, Francis, a mill hand, and Walter who was school age. When Thomas Humphreys attested in 1914 he named Elizabeth and Albert Seaton as his son Alfred's guardians.
Albert Seaton died on 14 March 1920 at 72 Lindum Grove and his widow Elizabeth on 2 March 1932 at 14 Lindum Grove.
Alfred Frederick Humphries enlisted at Nottingham and served with the 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment.
The 9th (Service) Battalion was raised at Norwich in September 1914, part of Kitchener's Third New Army, and served with BEF France from 30 August 1915 as part of 71st Brigade, initially with 24th Division then from October 1915 with the 4th Division.
The Battalion was in action at the Battle of Epehy (Battles of the Hindenburg Line) on 18 September, the date on which Alfred was killed. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France (Panel 4).
The Memorial/screen wall is alongside the Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery, which is about 10km from the town of Arras. The Memorial to the forces of Great Britain and Ireland and South Africa 'bears the names of over 9,000 men who fell in the period from 8 August 1918 to the date of the Armistice in the Advance to Victory in Picardy and Artois, between the Somme and Loos, and who have no known grave.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: Son of Thomas Humphreys, of 85, Jersey Rd., Custom House, London, and the late Priscilla Humphreys.
Thomas Humphreys attested on 7 October 1914 in the Army Service Corps (304793 Private) and served in France from 8 October 1914 to 17 December 1915 (1y 71d) then home service from 18 December, although one of the notices of his son's death in 1918 described him as being 'in France'. Thomas transferred to the Labour Corps in 1917 and was demobilized to Class 'Z' Army Reserve on 27 March 1919. Home address 85 Jersey Road, Custom House, London. He qualified for the 1914 Star & Clasp, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham General Cemetery, headstone inscription: In loving memory of Albert, the beloved husband of Elizabeth Seaton, died March 14th 1920, aged 50 years. Not dead but sleeping. Also Pte. Alfred Humphreys, nephew of the above, killed in action Sept. 18th, 1928, aged 18 years. Duty nobly done. Also Elizabeth Seaton died March (-) aged (-) years.
WW1 Pension Ledgers: His next of kin was given as Elizabeth Seaton, 22 Lindum Grove, Meadow Lane, Nottingham.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 12 October 1918: ‘Humphreys. Killed in action, Sept. 18th, 1918, Pte. A Humphreys, Norfolk Regt., in his 19th year, of 22 Lindum-grove, Meadow-lane. Sweetest memories left behind of one we loved so dear. Grant him eternal rest, Lord. From his sorrowing father in France, also Uncle Albert, Aunt Lizzie [Seaton], Uncle Will and Aunt Louie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 12 October 1918: ‘Humphreys. Killed in action, Sept. 18th, 1918, Pte. A Humphreys, Norfolk Regt., Ever remembered by his sorrowing friend, Cis.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 18 September 1919: ‘Humphreys. In loving memory of our dear nephew, Alfred Frederick, killed in action, Sept 18th, 1918. Gone, but not forgotten. Uncle and aunt, Mr and Mrs Seaton, 22 Lindum-grove, Meadow-lane.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 18 September 1919: ‘Humphreys. In loving memory of our dear nephew, Alfred Frederick, killed in action, Sept 18th, 1918. Beautiful memories left behind. Aunts and uncles Louie and Bill, Emma, Alfred, Florrie, Albert, & Bart, Nellie & Alf.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 15, 16, 17 March 1920: ‘Seaton. On the 14th inst., Albert dearly beloved husband of Elizabeth Seaton, 72 Lindum-grove, Meadow-lane, after much suffering. Wife and family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 14 March 1921: ‘Seaton. In loving memory of Albert Seaton, of 72 Lindum-grove, Meadow-lane, Nottingham, died March 14th, 1920. There is sorrow in my heart, no human eye can trace, for many an aching heart, lies beneath a smiling face. From loving wife.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 2 March 1932: ‘Seaton. On the 2nd March, Elizabeth, widow of the late Albert Seaton, 14 Lindum-grove, Meadow-lane. Reunited. Funeral arrangements later.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 3 & 5 March 1932: ‘Seaton. On March 2nd, Elizabeth, after a long illness. Funeral Monday, 2.30, General Cemetery,top end.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 14 March 1932: ‘Seaton. Memories of dad, Albert Seaton, who died March 14th, 1920, Horace and Gracie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Additional research and information Peter Gillings. Further information/record updated RF (April 2026)
Photo of Alfred Frederick Humphreys
Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France, courtesy of the cwgc
Photo of Alfred Frederick Humphreys
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave. Photograph Simon Roots, CWGC 'EOHO' project volunteer (March 2026)