Edwin Walter Alford

Story:
Edwin Walter Alford was born in Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 21 Jan 1896 the son of Samuel Thomas Alford and Rebecca Alford (nee Burden). He lived his early life at 22 Enmore Green until by 1911 he was boarding at Stroud Farm, Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset, working as a Cow Boy on the farm.  He had enlisted on 6 Jul 1915 and joined the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 15116).  It is not known precisely where he served but it has been assumed in France and Flanders with the 5th Battalion where he received gun shot wounds to his right hand.  He was discharged on 29 Mar 1917 being unfit for further service and awarded the Silver War Badge No. 153409 as well as the Victory and British War Medals.  He married Rose Norris in the Mere, Wiltshire, Registry area during 1917.  The 1921 Census shows him living at The Dairy House, East Stour, Dorset, working as a Cowman at the local Manor Farm though by 1926 he had moved to Walters Farm, Stapleford Abbott, Near Chelmsford, Essex, and yet again by the time of the 1939 Register to 45 Front Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, still working as a Cowman.  His death was recorded in the Epping Forest, Essex, Registry area during 1976.  His brothers, Joseph Alford and Elijah Tom Alford, also served and survived the conflict.