Alexander Read
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Alexander Read was born in 1887 and was the son of William Read a coal miner and Harriet Read née Kirk they lived at 92 St Albans Rod, Bulwell. His father William was born in 1861 in Adlington, Lancashire and his mother Harriet Kirk was born in 1867 in Bulwell, they were married in 1885 their marriage being recorded in the Basford Registration District, they went on to have 10 children all of whom were born in Bulwell :- William b1885, Alexander b1887, Bertha b1890, Walter b1892, Annie b1895, Mable b1897, Fred b1900, Hilda b1902, Winnie b1906 and Nellie b1909. In the 1911 census the family are shown living at 92 St Albans Road, Bulwell and are shown as William 50 yrs a coal miner, he is living with his wife Harriett 44 yrs and their children Alexander 24 yrs a coal miner, Bertha 21 yrs a lace stitcher, Walter 19 yrs a horse driver underground, Annie 16 yrs carriage hammer, Mable 14 yrs, Fred 11 yrs, Hilda 9yrs, Winnie 5yrs and Nellie 2 yrs, Alexander married his wife Sarah King in 1912, their marriage was registered in the Basford Registration District. His address at the time of his death was 9 Birkland Street, Bulwell, Nottingham.
Gunner Alexander Read, enlisted in Nottingham and served with “Z” 33rd Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, he was killed in action on 27th June 1916, and is buried in Cambrin Churchyard Extension (grave ref O.16).
Nottingham Evening Post obituary (abridged) 15 July 1916: 'Gunner A Read, 28, June 27th. 9 Birkland Street, Bulwell.' In memoriam notices published on 27th June 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “READ. – In ever loving memory of my dear husband Gunner A. Read, late of 8, Birkland-street, Bulwell, who fell in action June 27th, 1916. Days and nights still hold their sadness, tears in silence often flow. – Sorrowing wife and child. “READ. – In loving memory of our dear son, Gunner A. Read, who fell in action June 27th, 1916. One year has passed, our hearts still sore, as day by day we miss him more. – From mother, father, sisters, and brothers.” Above notices are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
