Alexander Antcliffe
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Alexander was the son of George Henry and Margaret Antcliffe (née Cant). Note: surname also Antliff, Antcliff (see 'Extra information'). His father George Henry was born in Caunton in 1865 (reg. Antliff), the son of William and Mary Antliff, and was baptised at Caunton St Andrew on 26 November 1865. In 1891 George, an agricultural labourer, was living in Caunton with his widowed mother, Mary. His mother Margaret Cant was born in Fosses, Edinkillie, Morayshire, Scotland, on 21 May 1866. She had a sister, Jessie. In 1891 Margaret was living in Nairn, Scotland, a domestic servant in the household of Agnes Bulkeley. George and Mary were married at Caunton St Andrew on 22 May 1892 (reg. Antliff/Cant). They had six children who were all born in Caunton (reg. Antcliff): Charles Edward b. 1894, Jessie b. 1896, Alexander b. 1897, James Anthony b. 1900, Arthur b. 1903 and John William b. 1907. In 1901 George, a chimney sweep, and Margaret were living at the Manor Arms Inn, Caunton, with their children Charles (4), Jessie (4), Alexander (3) and James (under 1 year). They were still living in Caunton in 1911, when George was a general labourer. In the home on the night of the census were four of their six children: Alexander, a farm boy, James, Arthur (7) and John (3). Charles was a horse and cattleman living in Winkburn, Southwell, in the household of William Caudwell, a farmer, and his family. Jessie was a general domestic servant in Normanton on Trent, Nottinghamshire, in the household of William East, a farmer, and his famlly. The youngest child, John William, died on 22 June 1916 and was buried in St Andrew's churchyard, Caunton. His mother Margaret died on 13 October 1930 and was also buried in St Andrew's churchyard. George Henry, a retired farm carter, was still living in Caunton in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Also in the household was his housekeeper, Sarah Rowlands (b. 1873), a widow. George died on 28 February 1949; he was then living at 51 Sutton Road, Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire (death reg. Manchester, Antcliffe). Administration of his Will was awarded to his married daughter, Jessie Cooke.
Private Alexander Antcliffe enlisted in March 1914 at Newark and served initially with the 20th Hussars, Household Cavalry. He later served with the 1st and then the 2nd Bn Suffolk Regiment. He landed in France on 29th June 1915 and was serving with the Machine Gun Section, 2nd Battalion Suffolk Regiment, when he was killed by a shell on 2 March 1916. Originally commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Alexander's body was later found and identified and he was buried in Oostaverne Wood Cemetery. Belgium (grave ref. V.D.2). He qualified for the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Birth registration: surname Antcliff Census: surname Antliff Military records: surname Antcliffe With the exception of James who continued to use the surname Antcliff, other members of the family began to use the spelling Antcliffe. Caunton memorial: Alexander Antcliffe - Pte 20th Hussars CWGC additional information: 'Son of George Henry and Margaret Antcliffe, of Caunton, Newark, Notts. Enlisted March, 1914 in 20th Hussars.' Alexander’s name was removed from the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial on 4th February 1937 when his body was recovered and identified by his disc (damaged) and a coin. Two other men found with him were not been identified. The map reference where his body was found was 28.1.34.c.3.5. He was buried in Oostaverne Wood Cemetery. Above information courtesy of Karen Beckett (née Antcliffe), Alexander’s great niece (granddaughter of Arthur, daughter of Frederick who married Barbara Linsey 1956). Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father George Henry was his legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: parents George Henry and Margaret.
