Alexander William Daniel
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Different documents give his first name as Alexander or Alec. He was the husband of Winifred Anne Daniel and in 1911 they lived with their two daughters, Sarah Minnie and Dorothy, at 44 Chandos Street Nottingham. At the time of his death the family home was at 106 Ilkeston Road, Nottingham (see obituary). By 1916 his widow was living at Vivian Villas, Standhill Road, Carlton Hill. She completed a statement for the army on 13 May 1919 about her husband's living relatives and named four daughters; Sarah Minnie (b. 1 April 1908), Dorothy (b. 9 February 1910), Minnie (b. 2 February 1912), Winnifred (sic) and Alice (b. 23 January 1915). The statement was witnessed by the vicar of St Cyprian's, Carlton.
His army service record survives. He attested in the Territorial Force on 29 April 1911 at the age of 25yrs 6m; the witness was Captain Oliver W Hind, 7th Bn Robin Hood Rifles. He was promoted lance corporal 8 June 1914 and sergeant 9 October 1914. On 8 October 1914, when a lance-serjeant, he signed an agreement for 'a Territorial Forces to serve outside the UK'. He served at home from 29 April 1911 to 27 February 1915 then in France from 28 February 1915. A report of his death by the officer commanding the battalion was included in a report dated 14 October 1915; he died in the area, map Bethune, combined sq A.28, C.8.4 (GHQ 34d Echelon) and was buried in Vermelles Cemetery, Bethune. The grave must have been lost for he is now commemorated on the Loos Memorial. He was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham Post obituary (abridged), 8 December 1915: 'Sergeant AW Daniel, 1/7th Sherwood Foresters, 106 Ilkeston Road, Nottingham, killed in action October 13th.' His personal effects were sent to his wife in February 1916, when she was living at Vivian Villas, Standhill Road, Carlton Hill, Nottingham. His personal effects comprised: a pocket wallet leather, testament, hymn book, a packet of correspondence, 5 photographs and a pair of scissors. Winnie Daniel acknowledged receipt of these items on 23 February 1916 but added that she 'should be so pleased if you will forward the remainder of his personal belongings, there was a watch wich (sic) he gave two £ for and had only had it a little over a week and a new cigarette case and his whisel (sic) which I should like for one of his children, also a purse, trusting you will give this your earliest attention.' She was awarded a pension of 23/6d for herself and four children. There is a record in the service documents of a letter dated 4 March 1923 from Mrs LM Bates, Meaford Lodge, Stone, Staffordshire, asking for information about the place of burial as she is going to France 'on 19th inst'. Another letter in the records dated 14 May 1923 was sent by the OIC Infantry Records, Litchfield, to Mrs WA Beardmore, Vivian Villas, Standhill Road, Carlton, 'With reference to your letter, the grave of the late No 1376 Sgt A W Daniel. The only information recorded in this office is that he was buried in the cemetery, Vermelles.' The writer advises Mrs Beardmore to contact the Imperial War Graves Commission about the location of the grave and the cost of the journey.
