Alfred James Blanchard

Story:
Alfred James Blanchard was born in Blandford St. Mary, Dorset, on 1st February 1874 and baptised there on 25th March 1874, the son of Robert Blanchard and Sophia Blanchard (née Best).  He lived most of his early life in the Blandford St. Mary area.  He married Louisa Amelia Whitty in Blandford, Dorset, on 12th March 1901 and by 1911 they had moved to Sutton Waldron, Dorset.  The Absent Voters List 1918 indicates that he was serving with the 1st (Garrison) Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 63748).  He gave his address at that time as 32 Whitehall, Compton Abbas, Shaftesbury, Dorset. No records can be found either for service or medals to confirm his military background.   The 1921 Census shows him living now in Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, described as an out of work General Labourer. By the 1939 Register he was recorded at 63 Pipers Mill Cottage, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was now working as a farm labourer.  He died locally on 11th October 1952.