Alfred Brockwell
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Alfred was born in 1883, the son of Alfred William and Eliza Brockwell (nee Ecob). Alfred and Eliza were married in 1882 and had four children; Alfred, Florence Mary (b. 5 September 1886), Mabel Hail and Albert Ernest (b. 26 January 1896). Alfred William worked in the leather industry. In 1891 Alfred and Eliza and their two oldest children, Alfred and Florence, were living at 9 Vernon Street, in the civil parish of St Mary. Eliza died in 1899 age 41 and in 1901 Alfred was living at 71 Kirkstead Street, Hyson Green, with their children Alfred (17), Florence Mary (14), Mabel (9) and Albert Ernest (5). Alfred junior married Ada Alice (nee King) at Morley Memorial Chapel, Nottingham, on 22 April 1905. Their son, Frank Alfred, was born three years later on 25 April 1908 (died 1974 age 66). In 1911 the family was living at 15 Nugent Street, Calcutta Street, Nottingham; Alfred and Ada had been married for six years and Frank was their only child. When Alfred enlisted in 1914 they were living at 5 Alpine Terrace, Hunt Street, Nottingham. Alfred's eldest sister, Florence Mary, married George Edward Robinson and in 1911 they and their one year-old son, George Frederick, were living in Doncaster where George was a locomotive fireman. (Florence died 1977 aged 91.) The same year Alfred's sister, Mabel, was a domestic servant in the household of Charles Pisley, at 78 Musters Road, West Bridgford; Mabel later married (Greadley). Alfred's brother, (J/15255) Able Seaman Albert Ernest Brockwell, who had joined the Royal Navy in 1912, was killed on 12 December 1917 while serving in HMS Pellew. Alfred's father probably died in 1930 aged 70.
Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) transf. to (165866) Labour Corps (CWGC). His army service record survives. He attested on 5 September 1914; he had previously served in the Sherwood Foresters (V) for three years, being discharged in 1903. He rejoined the Sherwood Foresters and was posted on 12 September 1914. However, it appears from his record that he transferred to the 3rd Bn Northumberland Fusiliers in June 1916, followed by a transfer in February 1917 to the 25th Bn Durham Light Infantry. He transferred to the Labour Battalion in April 1917 and to 377 Labour Coy, based at Grantham, in September 1917. The transfer was prompted by his medical downgrading, which was deemed permanent. He was seriously injured in an accident at Buckminster Aerodrome on 20 March 1918 and died in Belton Hospital the same day (see report of inquest below). He was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery (grave ref 8427). There are several pieces of correspondence in his service documents relating to the inquest into the accident which resulted in his fatal injuries: Letter dated 23 March 1918 from the Coroner for Grantham District, County of Lincoln, Parts of Kesteven, to Lt Col Woods, Ripon. ‘An inquest was held yesterday at Belton Park Military Hospital upon Alfred Brockwell, No 165866, in the 377th Labour Company (Durham Light Infantry) attached RE, stationed at Skillington in this county, who whilst working on a roof of a hangar at Buckminster Aerodrome on the 20th instant, fell to the ground and injured the base of his skull and died as the result of his injuries at Belton hospital the same day. The jury found that the deceased died as the result of the injuries received and that the cause of death was accidental but they added the following Rider to the Verdict. Rider ‘In the opinion of the Jury, the deceased at the time of the accident was engaged in work he was not physically suited and they recommend that the officer responsible for detailing the men for work should be made acquainted with the disabilities they are suffering from.’ Lieut Colonel Woods, I should explain that the widow of the deceased attended the inquest and gave evidence, in the course of which she stated that the deceased suffered from heart disease and was liable to have attacks of dizziness, and she explained that this was the reason that the deceased was placed in Category B.3. permanent as per medical history sheet AFB 178. As a matter of fact, there was no evidence to satisfactorily prove whether the deceased, who was carrying about three pounds of cement, (-) his footing or was overcome with a heart attack, but in the event, the work he was engaged in appears to be of a hazardous nature, requiring some sort of protection to safeguard him. I should be much obliged if you will forward this Rider with the recommendation, to the proper quarter so that the matter can be dealt with, with a view to preventing, if possible, the recurrence of a similar accident.’
Nottingham Post notice (abridged) 23 March 1918: 'Brockwell. On March 20th by accident at Grantham, Private Alfred, husband of Ada Brockwell, 5 Alpine Terrace, Hunt Street. Funeral General Cemetery.' The army service record gives the details of Alfred's next of kin (his wife and son) and his surviving blood relatives; the address of Alfred's father, Alfred William, was given as 'not known', , Albert, had predeceased Alfred (1917) but Florence May Robinson (34) was living at 72 Logan Street, Highbury Vale, Bulwell, and Mabel Greadley (29) at 76 Bunbury Street, Meadows. The letter confirming his widow had been awarded a pension was dated 30 August 1918.
