Alfred Steenton was born on 20 November 1879 in Shrewsbury to George and Ellen Steenton. By 1881 they were living at Whitchurch and by 1901 had moved to Oswestry, where they were living at 8 Vine Cottages, Albert Road. Later they lived at Nant y Caws, where his father was a baker and confectioner. He would later run a shop on Beatrice Street.  George and Ellen had 12 children recorded on the 1911 census of which only 2 survived – Alfred and Martha.

Alfred also worked as a confectioner/baker before joining the regular army, probably around 1898/99, when he turned 18. He served in the South African, or Boer, War and for three years in India. He also spent time posted in barracks at Blackpool. Alfred then left the army and began work as a porter for a chemist in Walsall. On leaving the army he would have been put on the Reserve List, so was mobilised on the outbreak of war. At this time he met his fiance – Hephzibah Laban, the daughter of George and Hephzibah Laban of Lord Street, Walsall.

He went over to France with the 2 Bn South Staffordshire in August 1914. The Battalion were engaged through the first months of the fighting. By October 1914 they were stationed in the Ypres Salient and were heavily involved during the enemy offensive – First Ypres. By mid-November they had been withdrawn to Brigade reserves and were in trenches between Beceleare – Moorsleede about 5km south of Passchendaele.

On the day of Alfred’s death they were due to be relieved that evening, and withdrawn to billets at Hooge. Alfred was hit sometime during the afternoon of 15 November. He was wounded in the right wrist and thigh but didn’t seem to be badly hurt. About an hour after he was wounded the relief began. His comrades made him comfortable, wrapped him up in his cape and gave him some cigarettes, which he lit up and smoked. Shortly afterwards he had a drink of water and then seemed to fall asleep. His comrades let him be. When they came to rouse him a short time later Alfred was dead.

Alfred’s grave has been lost. He may have been buried on the battlefield (often shell holes were used) and his grave destroyed by a later bombardment or it is possible that when his body was found he could not be identified. He is remembered on the Menin Gate at Ypres and has no known grave.  He is also commemorated on the Birmingham Roll of Honour.

Alfred was Brother-in-law to the 3 brothers Rifleman 7015 John Walter Hughes – who married Martha, Alfred’s sister, Lance Corporal 18228 Robert Madoc Hughes and Private David Ernest Hughes – who also served in Alfred’s unit, 2 Bn South Staffordshire.

Acknowledgements.

References and Sources

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