Alfred Bacon

Alfred was the son of Edward and Elizabeth Bacon. His father was born in Halfield Gate, Derbyshire in 1846 and his mother was born in Danesmoor, Clay Cross, Derbyshire. His parents had at least ten children, the registrations of birth giving the mother's maiden name as 'Cook.' However, no registration of marriage has yet been traced for Edward Bacon/Elizabeth Cook but an Edward Bacon (25) and Elizabeth Ann Cutts (19), both of Danesmoor, were married at North Wingfield St Lawrence on 6 February 1872. (Elizabeth signed with her mark.) Their children were: William birth registered 1874 (J/F/M), Edward b. 1875, Frederick b. 1877, Elizabeth Laura (Laura) b. 1879, Michael b. 1881 d. 1884, Arthur b. 1883 d. 1910, Sam b. 1887 d. 1892, Ernest birth registered 1889 (J/F/M), Alfred birth registered 1892 (J/F/M) and Victor birth registered 1894 (J/F/M). All the children were born in Danesmoor, Clay Cross and several of the children were baptised at Clay Cross parish church (resident Danesmoor). In 1881 Edward, a general labourer, and Elizabeth were living on Old Danesmoor Road, Clay Cross, with their four children William, Edward, Frederick and Laura. However, by 1891 Edward, now a stationary engine driver, and his wife had moved to Nutts Houses, Danesmoor, where they were living with their seven children, William, Edward and Frederick who were colliery labourers, and Laura, Arthur, Sam and Ernest. Another son, Michael, had died in 1884 aged 2 years and Sam died in 1892, the year Alfred was born. Edward snr. died in 1895 aged about 46. His widow Elizabeth, a charwoman, was still living at Nutts Houses in 1901 but only four of her children were in the home on the night of the census, Arthur a colliery labourer (below ground), Ernest, Alfred and Victor. Her only daughter Laura has not been traced after 1891, but three of her sons were now married: William married Mary Ann Bennett at Chesterfield St Mary in June 1892, Edward married Ellen Martin at Clay Cross parish church in April 1900 and Frederick married Eliza Ann Walter, also at Clay Cross parish church, in August 1900. Arthur, of Chapel Row, Pilsley, Derbyshire, died at Morton Isolation Hospital, Alfreton, in 1910 and was buried at Pilsley on 18 January. His mother Elizabeth predeceased him. By 1911, William, May, their eight children and William's youngest brother, Victor, a colliery pony driver, were living in Goldthorpe, Rotherham, Yorkshire. Edward, Ellen and their four children were living in Clay Cross. Frederick, Eliza and their four children, together with her parents, were living on Albert Avenue, Jacksdale, Nottinghamshire. The couple were still living in Jacksdale in 1939 when the England and Wales Register was compiled. Ernest and his wife Hannah (née Edwards), who were married at Blackwell parish church, Derbyshire, in December 1909, were living in Blackwell. The four older brothers were coal miners. Alfred, though, had joined the army in 1910 and in 1911 was serving with the 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters at Crownhill Fort, Plympton, Devon. Alfred's youngest brother, Victor, also served in the war and was killed in 1915. (See 'Extra information')