Percy Thomas Alford

Story:
Percy Thomas Alford was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset in 1887, and baptised at St. Rumbold's Church, Cann, on 13 Mar 1887 the son of James Alford and Hannah Alford (née Pike). In 1891 the family were living at 5 Butts Knapp in Cann. In 1891 they were still living there and Percy was employed as an errand boy. By 1911 they had moved to Boyne Cottage, Cann and he was working as a carter on a farm. He married Mary Ann Perrett at Cann on 23rd December 1913. They lived at East Down, Blandford, Dorset, where he worked as a gardener and lodge keeper. They had one child in 1914 who regrettably passed away in 1918. Percy enlisted with the Royal Garrison Artillery on 10th December 1915 as a Gunner (Service No. 126723). He is known to have served abroad and contracted tuberculosis at some time towards the end of the war and was eventually declared unfit for further service and discharged on 6th December 1919, receiving the Silver War Badge No. B347557. He was also awarded the Victory and British medals. After the war Percy and Mary had a home in Bozley Hill, Cann, though the 1921 Census shows he was a patient at the Ministry of Pensions Hospital, Bath, Somerset, described as a Gardener. On 31st March 1925 Percy died at Bath Military Hospital and on 4th April he was buried in St. Rumbold's Churchyard, Cann.

Sadly two of Percy's brothers served and died in the war: Ernest John (b.1882) with the Royal Garrison Artillery and William (b.1890) with the Welsh Regiment.

Printed sources:
"The Alford Family of Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset", Gold Hill Museum Archives.