Alfred Joseph Gurd

Story:
Alfred Joseph Gurd was born in Stoke Devonport, Plymouth, on 26th July 1891 but his birth was not registered until his family arrived in Shaftesbury, Dorset, where he was baptised on 27th September 1891 at St. James' Church. He was the son of Henry Gurd (described as a 'Ship's Corporal') and Mary Ann Gurd (née Davis).   The family resided at 10 St. James, Shaftesbury.   Alfred enlisted as a Private with the 8th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment on 1st February 1915 (Service No. 19665).  He served in France but only until 6th June 1917 when he was discharged as unfit for further duty due to stomach abscesses.  He was awarded the Silver Badge No. 431480 along with the Victory and British medals and the 1915 Star.  He married Elizabeth M. Sennett in 1924 and by the 1939 Register they were living at 2 Norman Court Cottages, Andover, Hampshire, and Alfred was working as a Dairyman.  His wife passed away in 1959 and he remarried Hilda E. Ewins in Salisbury, Wiltshire, during 1960.  There were no children by either marriage.  He died in Salisbury in 1969.

Alfred's brother Percy Arthur (b.1894) also served in the war, with the Royal Engineers.