Alfred William Widdowson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Alfred William Widdowson was the son of Alfred and Mary Jane Widdowson (née Fox). His father Alfred was born in 1860 in Basford and his mother Mary Jane was born in about 1863 in Nottingham. They were married at Nottingham St Ann in February 1882 and had six children, sadly two died in infancy or early childhood. Their surviving children, who were all born in Basford, were Alfred William b1884, Violet b1890, Ethel b1893 and Frank b1898. One of the children who died young was probably Albert James b. 1885 d. 1886. In 1891 Alfred, his wife and their two children, Alfred William and Violet, were living on Ford Street, Basford, but Alfred and Mary and their four children later moved to High Church Street where they were recorded on the 1901 Census. Alfred William joined the Sherwood Foresters in December 1902 but transferred to the Army Reserve in January 1911. (See 'Military history') By 1911 the family was living at 24 Chard Street, New Basford: Alfred (50), a gas fitter (Nottingham Corporation), Mary (48) and their four children Alfred William (27) a bricklayer's labourer, Violet (20) a lace curtain mender, Ethel (18) an ironer (laundry) and Frank (12). Alfred William married Florence Whittle (b. 1888) on 8 April 1912 at St Leodegarius Church, Basford, and their daughter Florence Mary was born on 8 September 1912. The family lived at 30 Chard Street, New Basford, Nottingham. Following Alfred's death his widow Florence was awarded a pension of 16 shillings a week for herself and her child with effect from 1st May 1916. Alfred's daughter married Christopher St John Woolley in 1931 and in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled they and Florence Mary's widowed mother were living together in Nottingham. The records of two other members of the household remain closed but were probably those of Christopher and Florence's two daughters. Florence Widdowson died in 1976. Mary Jane Widdowson died in 1928 and her husband Alfred was still living at 24 Chard Street in 1939 when the England and Wales Register was compiled. Also in the home was his widowed daughter Violet Friar and her son Herbert (b. 1916). Violet had married Herbert Henry Friar in 1911; he died in 1918. Violet's son Herbert served in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (6981952 Lance Corporal) during the Second World War and was killed in Burma on 7 April 1943. He left a widow, Rose (née Smedley, m. 1940). Alfred snr. died at 24 Chard Street in December 1942. Probate was awarded to his daughter Edith Beardsall (m. 1922, George H Beardsall).
Alfred William Widdowson enlisted on 30 December 1902 at Nottingham on a 12 year Short Service engagement (3 years with the Colours 9 years Army Reserve). He was 18 yrs 9 months old, a bricklayer's labourer and lived with his parents at 37 High Church Street, Basford. He served with the 2nd Battalion Notts & Derby Regiment and saw service in China, Hong Kong (c. 1904), and Singapore where he had a medical examination on 30 November 1906 to confirm his fitness to serve in India (Bangalore). Information in his service documents shows that he was serving in India between 1907 and 1910. Alfred extended his service to eight years (with the Colours) on 22 February 1905. He had periods of temporary promotion to lance-corporal (paid and unpaid) but reverted to private when he transferred to the Army Reserve on 28 January 1911. He was mobilised from the Army Reserve in 1914 and promoted lance corporal on 25 August 1914, corporal 20 March 1915 and sergeant on 14 July 1915. Alfred served with the BEF France from 10 October 1914 and was killed in action on 9 August 1915. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium (Panel 39 and 41). Alfred qualified for the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Alfred William's nephew, Herbert Friar, the son of his sister Violet, served in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (6981952 Lance Corporal) during the Second World War and was killed in Burma on 7 April 1943 aged 26. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial, Mayanmar. (CWGC 1292677). CWGC: 'Son of Alfred and Mary Widdowson, of 24, Chard St., New Basford; husband of Florence Widdowson, of 30, Chard St., New Basford, Nottingham.' Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 9th August 1919:- "WIDDOWSON. – In loving memory of Sgt. A. W. Widdowson, killed in action August 9th, 1915. Fondly remembered. – Wife and little girl.” Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Alfred's possessions were returned to his widow in January 1916 and comprised a tin box containing photos & letters and card, 1 scarf, 1 prayer book. Florence, completed a form for the Army in May 1919 listing her late husband's relatives. She and their daughter were still living at 30 Chard Street, New Basford, while Alfred's parents, and his sisters, Violet Friar (widow) and Ethel, were living at 24 Chard Street, New Basford. Alfred's brother Frank was named but no address given.
