3rd Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Alfred Perry was one of six children born to Harry (Henry) and Emily Perry. Emily was born in Stroud and Harry in Stonehouse. I can find no baptism record but an Alfred Perry’s birth was registered in Stroud during the first quarter of 1884 which matches his given age at the 1891 and 1901 censuses.
At the 1891 Census, the family were living at Parkend Cottages Paganhill. Forty-two-year-old Henry was employed as a gardener. Oldest brother, Henry at 18 was a shoe maker’s assistant and 16- year-old Louisa, a woollen cloth worker.
The family were still living in Paganhill at the 1901 Census. Just Alfred and sister Kate aged 15 were at home. Alfred gave his occupation as servant.
The 1911 Census shows Alfred as the only sibling at home at Paganhill. He gave his age as 26 and his occupation as auctioneer’s clerk. The census stated that his parents had been married for 39 years and had six children of whom four were still living.
Alfred married Ada Louisa Franklin during the third quarter of 1913. They had a son, Alec Franklin Perry, who was born on 18 June 1915.
There appear to be no service records. It is likely that Alfred was a 1916 conscript who never saw service overseas. The UK Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects states that Alfred died at Tidworth Military Hospital on 18 February 1917. He was aged 31. A payment of £2 14s 5d was made to Ada.
The pension ledger states that Alfred died of broncho pneumonia. At the time it is believed that the Brigade was at Bulford Camp in Wiltshire. It is likely that Perry was taken ill whilst there and transferred to the hospital at Tidworth where he died. A pension of 18s 9d per week was awarded to Ada with effect from 20 August 1917. It gave her date of birth as 10 September 1889.
There is an entry in the Probate Register. Alfred left £260 10s (equivalent to £22,000 today). At that time Ada was living at 1 Grange View, Whiteshill.
Alfred was buried at St Paul’s Church, Whiteshill on 24 February 1917. His abode was given as Tidworth Military hospital and his age, 31. He has a CWGC headstone.
Ada remarried in 1920, her husband being William Watkins. At the time of the 1939 register, Ada was still living at Grange View. Alec was still with her, working as a printer lithographer. He married later that year. He died in 1961 and Ada, six years later.
Researched by Helen Wollington December 2020