Alfred James Silvers
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Alfred James was the son of Walter Hodgett (or Hodges) Silvers and his wife Betsy Ann (née Anthony also Anthoney). His father Walter Hodgett was born in Dudley, Staffordshire, in 1853 (A/M/J Dudley Staffs), the son of James and Julia Silvers. In 1871 the famliy was living on Macklin Street, Derby; Walter (16) was an iron moulder. His mother Betsy Ann was born in Nottingham in 1854 (O/N/D Nottingham), the daughter of George and Elizabeth Anthony In 1871 Betsy (16) was working as a winder and living with her parents on Spotted Row, Nottingham, in the parish of St Mary. Walter and Betsy were married in 1875 (J/A/S Derby). On the 1911 census completed by Betsy Silvers, who was widowed in 1898, she declared that she had had 14 children of whom only 11 were still living. Thirteen children were named on the census between 1891 and 1911, all were born in Nottingham and the births registered in Nottingham except for Joseph who may have been born in Derby but whose birth was registred in Nottngham and George who was born in Derby and his birth registered in Derby: William Walter b. 1875 (A/M/J) d. 1907 (O/N/D Nottingham); Julia Southall b. 1876 (A/M/J ) d. 1899 (J/F/M); Joseph birth registered 1878 (J/F/M); George Henry b. 1880 (A/M/J Derby); Mildred b. 1881 (J/A/S); Alfred James b. 1883 (A/M/J); Louis (also Lewis) b. 1885 (A/M/J); Samuel Hodgett b. 1887 (A/M/J); Elizabeth (Lizzie) birth registered 1889 (J/F/M); Henry (Harry) birth registered 1892 (J/F/M), Annie b. 1 December 1893 (1894 J/F/M), Hannah b. 21 January 1895 and Florry (Florence) b. 28 September 1896 (O/N/D). William Walter and Julia Southall both died before 1911. In 1891 Walter and Betsy were living at 52 Leicester Terrace, St Ann's, Nottingham, with their nine children William (16), Julia L (14), Joseph (13), George (11), Mildred (9), Alfred (8), Louis (5), Sam (4) and Elizabeth (2). Joseph enlisted in the Militia in 1895. He named his father of 92 Sycamore Road, St Ann's, as his next of kin; Joseph gave his own address as 41 Bombay Street, St Ann's Hill Road. Walter Hodges (sic) Silvers died in 1898 (A/M/J Nottingham) aged 45, burial 21 March 1898 (Nottingham St Catherine), and his eldest daughter Julia in 1899 (J/F/M Nottingham) aged 22, burial 23 March 1899 (St Catherine). His widow Betsy was still living at 92 Sycamore Road, St Ann's, in 1901. Also in the household were seven of their twelve surviving children Mildred, Louis, Lizzie, Harry (9), Annie (7), Hannah (5) and Florence (4). Alfred had enlisted in the Militia on 19 March 1901 and on the night of the 1901 census (31 March 1901) was in Normanton Barracks serving with the 4th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. He transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers on 7 June that year. (See 'Military history'). His brothers William, Joseph and George were all serving in the Royal Artillery; William in Aden, Joseph in Canada and George in India (see 'Extra Information'). Samuel has not yet been traced in 1901. The eldest son, William Walter, died in 1907 (O/N/D Nottingham) shortly after his discharge from the army (burial 7 December 1907). By 1911 their mother Betsy was working as a lace finisher and living at 8 Luther Avenue, Martin Street, St Ann's Well Road. Only four of her eleven surviving children were in the home on the night of the census; Alfred a labourer, Annie a box maker, Hannah a pattern girl and Florence an errand girl. Betsy also had a lodger, a widower, George Green (55), who was a labourer. Four other of her children have been traced on the 1911 Census. Lewis (Louis) had joined the Royal Navy in September 1901 and Harry was also serving in the Royal Navy having joined in August 1909. Mildred was living at Castle Court, Nottingham, housekeeper (later wife) to Frank Wells (29), single a bricklayer's labourer, and his children Frank (4) and Jane (3) while Elizabeth had married Samuel Robert Walker, a general labourer, in 1908 and was living at Front Row, Carlton Road, with their children Florence Mabel (3), Ethel Elizabeth (2) and Charlotte (8 months). Joseph, George and Samuel have not yet been traced on the 1911 Census. Their mother, Betsy, died in 1922 age 66. Alfred married Emma Jackson in 1913 (A/M/J Nottingham); They had a son, Alfred Jackson (b. 26 March 1911), who was born before their marriage and may have had a second son James L Silvers in 1913 (J/A/S Nottingham, Jackson) whose death was registered in 1916 (J/A/S Nottingham) as Lewis J Silvers. However, Alfred's brother George may have married a Bertha Jackson in 1904 and so this could have been their child. Alfred and Emma lived at 79 Pym Street, Gordon Road, St Ann's. Alfred's widow Emma died in April 1937 (burial 28 April). Their son Alfred (Silvers) married Kathleen L Radford (b. 9 January 1915) in 1936 (J/A/S Nottingham). In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled Alfred, a leaded light glazier, and Kathleen, a machinist, were living at 69 Morland Street, Nottingham. Alfred probably died in 1958 (J/F/M Nottingham). No record has been traced of any children of the marriage. His widow married Joseph Vipond in 1962 (A/M/J Nottingham). Of Alfred's surviving siblings: Joseph served in the Royal Artillery, discharged 1909, then may then have emigrated to Canada. There is a CWGC record of a Joseph Silvers who served in the Canadian Garrison Artillery and died in Canada on 25 January 1918. (See 'Extra information') George served in the Royal Artillery until 1909. He has not yet been traced after that date. (See 'Extra information') Mildred married Frank Wells in 1914 (A/M/J Nottingham); she was recorded living with him in 1911 as his housekeeper. She died in 1923 (burial 22 March). Louis (or Lewis) served in the Royal Navy from 1901 until 1919. He joined the Post Office on 9 August 1919 as a postman in Nottingham. He probably married Victoria L Brown (b. 3 April 1892) in 1916 (J/F/M Nottingham) and had two children, Lewis b. 14 October 1917 and Irene b. 29 January 1925. Lewis snr. died in 1932 (J/A/S Nottingham) aged 47. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Victoria was living on Landseer Street, Nottingham, with her children Lewis and Irene, a clerk. Also in the household was the widowed Louisa Brown (b. 6 September 1857), John Brown (b. 30 December 1921) and Kenneth Brown (b. 1 November 1925). Victoria died in 1966 (J/F/M Nottingham). (See 'Extra information') Samuel Hodgett has not yet been traced after 1891 but may have served in the war. (See 'Extra information') Elizabeth married Samuel Robert Walker in 1908; they had at least four children: Florence, Mabel, Ethel Elizabeth and Charlotte. Her husband died in 1945 Harry has not yet been traced after he was discharged from the Royal Navy in 1928. (See 'Extra information') Annie married Albert Keetley (b. 24 August 1890) in 1913 (O/N/D Nottingham). In 1939 they were living in Nottingham. Annie was a box maker and Albert was a general labourer; also in the home was their daughter Florence (b. 28 January 1916). Annie died on 4 February 1953. Hannah married Ernest Richard Porter (b. 15 July 1895) in 1918 J/F/M Nottingham. Ernest had served in the Sherwood Foresters (2082 Private) in the war and been discharged (disability) on 31 March 1916. In 1939 Hannah and Ernest, a lorry driver, were living on Walton Crescent, Carlton, with their children Kenneth, Ronald, Gladys and Alan; the records of two other members of the household remain closed. Hannah died in 1975 (J/F/M Nottingham). Florence married James W Fox (b. 23 February 1896) in 1918 (O/N/D Nottingham. In 1939 they were living on Westleigh Road, Nottingham; James was a carpenter/joiner. Also in the household were their children William A (b. 4 May 1919), Cecil (b. 30 March 1922), George (b. 15 September 1923), Edna M. (b. 12 March 1928), Reginal Arthur (b. 24 December 1931) and Walter (b. 18 April 1933); the records of three other members of the household remain closed.
Alfred attested at Derby in the Militia, 4th Derby Regiment (8203 Private) on 19 March 1901. The attestation paper had been amended in manuscript from swearing allegience to Her Majesty Queen Victoria to His Majesty King Edward VII. At the time of the 1901 Census he was recorded at Normanton Barracks, Derby. He served 49 days with the 4th Derby Regiment and then transferred to the regular army in the Northumberland Fusiliers on 7 June 1901. His army service record has not survived and so it is not known whether he completed his engagement (12 years with the Colours or a short service engagement, 5/7 years with the Colours and the remainder in the Army Reserve). However, by 1911 he was living with his widowed mother in Nottingham and working as a labourer. Alfred either volunteered or was mobilized on the outbreak of war as he was serving in France by 2 November 1914. Alfred was reported missing at Arras on 10 May 1917 but his death was not confirmed until the following year. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
St Bartholomew Book of Remembrance: 'Silvers Cyril A. Pte Northumberland Fusiliers 1st Bn. Presumed killed' (CWGC - no trace Cyril A Silvers) CWGC: 'Husband of Emma Silvers, of 79, Pym St., Gordon Rd., Nottingham.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 4 March 1918: ‘Silvers. In loving memory of our dearh brother-in-law, Corporal Alfred Silvers, reported missing May 10th, 1917, now reported killed on that date. Greatly missed by us all. Mother, brothers and sister-in-law.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 15 March 1918: ‘Silvers. In loving memory of my dear son and brother, Alfred James Silvers, aged 34, who was killed in action May 10th, 1917. Christ will link the broken chain closer when we meet again. From loving mother, sisters, brothers, and George.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Note: 'George' was probably George Green who was recorded in the family home on the 1911 Census. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 10 May 1919: ‘Silvers. In loving memory of my dear husband, Corpl. Alfred Silvers, 1st Northumberland Fusiliers, killed at Arras May 10th, 1917. We mourn him in silence. Wife and Alfy, also Mrs Jackson and family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 10 May 1919: ‘Silvers. In loving memory of Alfred Silvers, killed in action May 10th, 1917. To-day recalls and memories. From mother and sister Annie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His widow, Emma, was his legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers index Cards: widow Emma b. 1 June 1894 and child Alfred b. 26 March 1911 Alfred's wife Emma appeared in court on 1st March 1917 having admitted to the theft of some cigarettes, which she said were to be sent to her husband, Cpl. Alfred Silvers. He was killed two months later. Report published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 1st March 1917 : - “FOR HER SOLDIER HUSBAND. “NOTTINGHAM WOMAN'S THEFT OF CIGARETTES. “Admitting the theft of cigarettes, value 8s. 8d., the property of Arthur P. Lowe, of the Fox Hound Inn, Emma Silvers, 23, of Pym-street, described as a barmaid, was at the Nottingham Guildhall to-day [1st March 1917] put on probation for twelve months. “When interviewed by the police she said she took the cigarettes, which she had intended to send to her husband who was at the front. It was her first offence, and she expressed great regret.” Above article courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. Alfred's brother, Louis, served in the Royal Navy as Lewis Silvers. He joined on at HMS Ganges as a Boy 2nd Class on 7 September 1901, giving his date of birth as 6 January 1886 and enlisted on a 12 year Continuous Service Engagement on 6 January 1904, his 18th birthday. He was Discharged Shore on demobilization on 1 May 1919 and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 2 May 1919 (Po.B 9231). He was awarded the Serbian Silver Medal for 'zealous services' during the defence of Belgrade, was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 21 January 1916), awarded the DSM (London Gazette 24 February 1916) and commended for good services in action in the North Sea, 31 May-1 June 1916 [Battle of Jutland]. Nottingham Evening Post, 30 September 1916: ‘One of Seven Brothers. Nottm. Sailor Receives the DSM. The gallant conduct in Serbia has earned several honours for Petty Officer Lewis (sic) Silver, whose home is in Gerald Avenue, Leicester-street, Nottingham, and the latest award to be conferred upon him is the DSM. He was already the possessor of two Serbian medals for saving guns and getting them safely away from Belgrade. The brave sailor is an old scholar of St Ann’s, and joined the navy in 1900 (sic), and during the war he has participated in numerous naval engagements. He was on a warship [HMS Irresistible] at the Dardanelles when she was torpedoed (HMS and spent several house in the water before being picked up. Subsequently he saw service at Belgrade, and afterwards became attached to another warship [HMS Barham], a member of whose crew he was at the time of the Battle of Jutland. For his plucky conduct in that historic flight he was mentioned in despatches. It is interesting to know that he has six (sic) brothers in the service.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Louis had five surviving brothers in 1916: Joseph, George, Alfred, Samuel and Harry; the eldest brother, William Walter, had died in 1907 shortly after his discharge from the army. William Walter (b. 1875) joined the Royal Artillery on 2 December 1895 on a Short Service Engagement (7 years with the Colours, 5 years in the Army Reserve), 12371 Gunner (transferred to Royal Garrison Artillery in 1902 and promoted Bombardier April 1903). He was 19 years 8months old and working as a labourer. He was still living with his parents at 92 Sycamore Road, St Ann's and named his father as his next of kin. His father died in 1898 and he then named his mother Betsy, brother George and sister Julia (d. 1899). He extended his service to 12 years with the Colours: Home 2 December 1895-5 October 1896, India 6 October 1896-14 November 1898, Aden 15 November 1898-1 December 1901, Malta 2 December 1901-25 November 1903, Home 26 November 1903-1 December 1907. He was discharged on 1 December and died a few days later (O/N/D Nottingham) aged about 32, burial 7 December. Joseph (b. 1878) attested in the Militia, 4th Derby Regiment, on 24 November 1895 (4781 Private) aged 17y 9m, born Derby, occupation labourer and living at 41 Bombay Street, St Anns'. He served to 18 August 1897 when he enlisted in the Royal Regiment of Artillery (21888) on a 12 year Short Service Engagement (7+5) which he later extended to 12 years with the Colours He joined at Scarborough on 20 August 1897 and served until 17 August 1909. Home 18 August 1897-9 December 1898 (1y 114d); Bermuda 10 December 1898-12 October 1899 (301d); Halifax [Canada] 13 October 1899-17 August 1909 (9y 309d), total 12 years. There is no trace of Joseph in UK military records but a Joseph Silvers b. 1880 (sic) served with the Canadian Garrison Artillery (8068 Gunner). He died on 25 January 1918 aged 38 (sic) and was buried in Halifax (Fort Massey) Cemetery. He left a widow, CM Silvers, of 13 Inglis Street, Halifax. (CWGC-874497) George (b. 1880) attested in the Militia, 4th Derby Regiment, on 16 January 1897 (5636 Private). He was 18 years old, born Derby and working as a labourer. He served in the Militia until 2 March 1897 when he joined the Royal Artillery on 3 March on a Short Service Engagment (7 +5) which he later extended to 12 years with the Colours. He joined at Woolwich on 4 March 1897 as a driver but transferred and mustered as a Gunner on 1 December 1901: Home 3 March 1897-1 October 1899; India 2 October 1899-1 December 1901; Malta 2 December 1901-25 November 1903; Home 26 November 1903-2 March 1909. He was discharged on 2 March 1909 on completion of his engagement. No military records have yet been traced for his service in the Great War but he would only have been about 34 years old in 1914 so may have volunteered for service. Samuel (b. 1887) may have served in the Worcestershire Regiment in the war (48241 Private) and qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Harry (b. abt. 1891/92) probably served in the Royal Navy. There is a record of a Harry Silvers born Nottingham 12 December 1890 (sic), occupation printers' labourer, joining the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman (SS2974 Portsmouth) on 6 August 1909 on a 12 year Short Service Engagement (5 years RN +7 years RFR). The discepancy in age may be explained that by joining at the age of 18 he avoided 'Boy' time which did not count toward his engagement. He transferred from a Short Service Engagement to a Continuous Service Engagement (12 years RN) on 28 August 1913 (J26162 Portsmouth). He was promoted Petty Officer on 1 January 1918 when he was serving in HMS Heliotrope. Harry extended his time with the Royal Navy and his last ship was HMS Despatch from which he was Discharged Shore on 9 July 1928.
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