Samuel Alvey
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Samuel was the eldest child of Samuel and Harriet Mitchell Alvey (née Smith). Both his parents were born in Nottingham, his father in 1859 and his mother in about 1861. Samuel and Harriet were married on 12 December 1881 at Nottingham St Stephen, probably Sneinton parish church, and had six sons who were all born in Nottingham: Samuel b. 1884, Wallace b. 1886, Owen Burchby b. 28 August 1891, Dennis b. 2 February 1894, Charles Ralph b. 1897 and Walter Carran b. 29 June 1900. In 1891 Samuel, a hosiery machine fitter, and Harriet were living on Neville Street, Nottingham, with their sons Samuel (6) and Wallace (4). They were still at Neville Street in 1901. All six sons were in the home on the night of the census: Samuel an iron moulder, Wallace, a telegraph messenger for the Post Office, Owen (9), Dennis (7), Charles (3) and Walter (under 1 year). By 1911 Samuel and Harriet were living at 17 Mayfield Grove, Nottingham. Only five of their sons were still at home: Wallace, a letter carrier for the Post Office, Owen and Dennis who were both lace warehousemen, Charles a sinker maker (hosiery machines) and Walter. Samuel jnr. had married Mary Ada Pearson (b. 3 October 1886) in 1908 and in 1911 they were living at 8 Percy Terrace, Birkin Avenue, Hyson Green, with their two children, Ellen (b. 15 October 1908) and Frank (b. 6 February 1910). Samuel's widow Mary Ada married Samuel Allcock in 1933. In 1939 Mary and Samuel (b. 25 July 1886), a bus conductor, were living on Welbeck Road, Arnold. Also in the household was Laura Allcock (b. 15 March 1913) a hosiery worker; the record of one other member of the household remains closed. Mary Ada died in 1977. Their daughter Ellen married George A Hilton in 1934. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled Ellen and George (b. 22 January 1909) an art silk knitter, were living in Arnold, Nottingham. Samuel's brother Owen probably emigrated to Canada before the war as did his brother Dennis. Dennis enlisted in 1915 and named his mother, Harriet, of 52 Mayfield Road, Nottingham, as his next of kin. Samuel and Harriet later moved to 121 St. Saviour's Road East, Leicester. Harriet probably died in 1934 while Samuel died on 16 March 1936 at Nottingham General Hospital although he was then living at 9 Margaret Road, Leicester. His son Walter was awarded probate. Samuel's brothers, Wallace amd Owen, also died in the war (see 'Extra information'). Dennis enlisted on 19 April 1915 at Hamilton, Ontario. He served with the Canadian Infantry (406664 Private), latterly with the 29th Bn (18 May 1917-8 August 1919), and served overseas. Dennis married Rose E. on 8 January 1918 and died in Canada on 12 June 1957. Their brother Charles Ralph also emigrated to Canada where he was recorded on the 1921 Census. Walter married Ethel Brandreth in 1927 (A/M/J Leicester) and they had two sons, John P (b. 19 April 1928) and James K. (b. 1935). In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled they were living on Gwendolen Road, Leicester; Walter was an engineer's toolmaker. Ethel died in 1961 and Walter in 1985.
Pte. Alvey was conscripted and following training was drafted to France. On 07 July 1916 the battalion made an attack on Bailiff Wood, during the continuing Battle of the Somme. As the battalion advanced, it was hit by heavy machine gun fire from Contalmaison causing 264 casualties including Pte. Alvey. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Theipval Memorial, France (Addenda Panel 5).
His brother Private Owen Burchby Alvey served with the 13th Bn Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment). He died at the Royal Victorian Hospital, Netley, on 23rd October 1916 as the result of a shrapnel wound received on 25th September 1916. He is buried in Netley Military Cemetery (grave ref N.375). (See record on this Roll of Honour) His brother Wallace served with the 2nd Bn Lincolnshire Regiment (40507 Private) and was killed on 31 July 1917. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 27th November 1916 :- “ALVEY. – Killed in action, July 7th, Private Samuel Alvey, Northumberland Fusiliers, age 31. He bravely answered duty's call. – From sorrowing wife & children.” Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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