Alfred Ernest Scrafield
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Alfred was born in 1890 in Gringley and was the son of Joseph a farmer who had been born in Wheatley and Kate Scrafield (nee Shemeld) who had been born in Sheffield and died on 14 October 1918 aged 56. The couple settled in Gringley and subsequently had nine children, seven of whom survived according to the 1911 census. One son, William, died 19 September 1909 and was buried in Kirkee Cemetery, India, and another son Joseph Edward, died 16 February 1912 aged 28. In the 1911 census the family are living at Winkersley Farm, Ings Road, Gringley. Alfred is 21 years single and a flagman for a steam roller employed by the county council. He met and married Elizabeth Chantry at Gringley on 3rd August 1914 and they went on to have a son Albert Ernest who was born in 1916 and who died in 1936.
Alfred enlisted at Retford and originally served with service number 64897 with the North Staffordshire Regiment but then transferred to the 11th battalion Essex Regiment. He went to France on 3rd August 1918 and was killed in action on 17th October 1918 aged 28 years of age, and left a widow and a son. He is buried in the Premont British Cemetery, Aisne, France. An article in The Gainsborough News dated 27/12/18 reads : - 'For King and Country' Pte Albert (sic) Scrafield 50074, joined the 11th Essex Regiment on 6th June 1918 and went to France on 3rd August , and we regret to state that he was killed whilst fighting on the 17th October . He was a trusted employee at Stockwith Works, and always helpful in any patriotic work in the village before he enlisted. He was married on August 3rd 1914 and he leaves a widow and one little son. Very great sympathy is felt in the village for these. A memorial service was held at Stockwith Church on Sunday, November 17th .
Inscription on son's gravestone, Gringley on the Hill cemetery: 'In loving memory of Albert Ernest, died Novr 5th 1936 aged 20, the beloved son of Elizabeth and the late Ernest Scrafield killed in action Oct 17th 1918 aged 28 years. Only gone before.' Source, ‘Gringley a Tribute to the 24 ‘ published July 2014 by the Gringley History Club. www.gohistory.org.uk (Courtesy of Alan Hickman) Nottinghamshire Archives, ref PR 25,538, Walkeringham St Mary ‘Gorham’s Diary’: 18 October 1918, Pte AE Scrafield was killed in France. News reached his widow on November 12th. 17 November 1918, thanksgiving service for victory at morning and evening prayer. A memorial service held in the evening for Pte AE Scrafield. His mother Kate, is buried in Gringley on the Hill cemetery together with her son, Joseph Edward; two other sons, William and Alfred Ernest, are commemorated on the gravestone: 'Alfred Ernest who was killed in action Oct 17th 1918 aged 28 years, interred (-)'
