James Alford

Story:
James Alford was born in Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8 Sep 1896 the son of Sidney Herbert Alford, a carpenter, and Clara Jane Alford (nee Marshall).  He lived all his early life in Motcombe Street, Motcombe.  He enlisted on 9 Sep 1914 with the Dorset (Queen's Own) Yeomanry as a Private (Service No. 1064).  He served with the 3rd Battalion in Egypt from 21 Apr 1915 until on 23 Aug 1918 he was transferred to the Royal Air Force as an Air Mechanic Class 2 (Service No. 408856). He worked as a Blacksmith with the Seaplane Squadron from 10 Jul 1918. He was eventually discharged on 10 Mar 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star.  He married Florence Rosalie Legg (Christian names reversed on the marriage Certificate) at Ansty Church, Wiltshire, on 26 Jun 1920.  The 1921 Census shows him living in Gold Hill, Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire, working as a General Smith. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Furzelease Farm, Tisbury Row, Tisbury, Wiltshire, now described as a Blacksmith as well as a volunteer ARP Warden.  No record of his death has been found to date.  Of his brothers, Herbert Alford and Bertie Alford, also served and survived the conflict.