Alfred Blinkhorn

Alfred enlisted in April 1916 in Sutton in Ashfield, he served with the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment ) He was drafted to France in August 1916. He was wounded on 15th October and died of the wounds on Wednesday 8th November 1916 age 22. He was buried at Etaples Military Cemetery Pas de Calais France. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.

A report in the Notts Free Press dated 17th November 1916 states - Private A Blinkhorn After being seriously wounded in action on October 15th Private Alfred Blinkhorn, whose home was at 32 Parliament Street, Sutton, passed away at one of the base hospitals on Wednesday last week, and was interred in a military cemetery beside many of his gallant companions. Private Blinkhorn who was previously employed at Messrs I and R Morley's factory, enlisted in April and was drafted to France in August. During a charge on October 15th he was wounded in the ankle and whilst waiting to be removed had both legs smashed by shrapnel. It was subsequently found necessary to amputate both the limbs , but his injuries were too severe for him to recover. His father and mother were summoned to France making their journey across the Channel on the last outward journey of the ill-fated 'Queen'. They remained there for a fortnight and were with their son to the last. The deceased soldier was 22 years of age. Additional research by Lynne Weston