Army Service Corps (Motor Transport)
Private King has an entry in ‘Leaving all that was dear – Cheltenham in the Great War’ (J Devereux and G Sacker), however, his forenames are incorrectly shown as ‘Archibald Thomas’. This volume was written before the release of a number of records in the National Archives and therefore it is possible to provide much more information.
Alfred Tom King was born in Cheltenham in about 1887, the son of William and Clara King. He enlisted in the Army Service Corps (Motor Transport) on 15 April 1915, stating his address to be 2nd Lodge, Ashley Manor, Cheltenham and his occupation ‘chauffeur mechanic’.
He served in France from 28 April 1915 to 20 December 1915. Thereafter he was admitted to Bagthorpe Military Hospital, Nottingham, suffering from thrombosis in the legs, phlebitis and having suffered three pulmonary embolisms. He was discharged from the Army on 27 June 1916, being deemed no longer fit for war service and was issued with a Silver War Badge. His record shows him as being with 621 Company, Motor Transport Depot. At the time of discharge there was an indication that he was suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis.
He and wife Mabel had a daughter and a son, born in October 1910 and 1912 respectively. Upon discharge from the Army he was granted a pension, enhanced due to the presence of two children – his medical condition deemed to have been brought about by his military service.
He died on 22 October 1918, probably from tuberculosis and other ailments, whilst living at Maythorpe, Gladstone Road, Charlton Kings and was buried in the local cemetery. He was 31 years old.
Oddly he appears to have two Medal Index Cards, which show similar details, other than one unit is stated to be the Army Service Corps and the other Army Cyclists Corps (MT).
Researched by Graham Adams 26 July 2011