Alfred Parsons

Story:
Alfred Parsons was born on 29 Aug 1873 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and baptised at St. James Church, Shaftesbury, on 19th October, 1873. He was the son of George Pmarsons, a railway carman, and Emily Parsons (née Wright). His siblings included Charles, born in 1882, and Sidney George, born in 1890, both of whom died in the war. The family lived at Long Cross, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury. On 26th March, 1894 he married Emily Kate Gray. They had five children: three sons and two daughters. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a coal carter and living at 78 St. James Street, Shaftesbury. He enlisted in Dorchester on 24th August, 1914, as a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 3/7475) he later transferred to the 1st HS Garrison Battalion of the Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire) Regiment (Service No. 34574). He served on home duties in view of his age at Portland, Dorset. On 5th April, 1917 he had a heart attack whilst on guard duty and went through a process of assessment for future military duty. He was assessed as unfit for further duty on 25th April, 1917 and eventually discharged on 22nd June 1917. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.  (No record of the Silver War Badge was found). He regrettably died in early September 1917, and was buried in St. James' Churchyard on 14 Sep 1917, but this is not recorded as a war grave by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. He is remembered on the Park Walk and St. James’ War Memorials and on the Roll of Honour in St. James’ Church, Shaftesbury. His widow  was awarded initially a pension of 27s. 6d. (£1.37p.) per week and, by 1920, was living in Kempston, Bedfordshire, and died there in 1940.  His widow was awarded a pension initially of 27s. 6d (£1.37p.) per week.