Private G/22249, 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Born in 1882. Died 02/04/1918 in France. Age 37.

 

Born in Trimley St Martin in 1882, one of ten children of Walter William Lancaster and Elizabeth Ann nee Gorham. Sadly three of the children died the same year as Alfred was born.  Alfred married Elizabeth Mary Howell in 1909 and they moved to Eagle House, High Road, Trimley St Mary. His father died in 1911.

 

The German Spring Offensive on the Somme saw the 1st Battalion under intense attack at the Battle of St Quentin from the 21st March 1918. This was the largest artillery bombardment of the war with over 3.5 million shells being launched along a 40 mile front. The 1st saw many killed, wounded or missing. Alfred was reported as receiving Gunshot Wound IX.1 on the 21st March, IX1 being gunshot wound to the lower extremities. Simple flesh contusion or wound and was transferred to the sick convoy back to base. He later died from his wounds and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery