Z-Lobley-Alfred-2

 Alfred Lobley M.M. (1897-1918)

 

Family Details

Alfred was born in Batley on the 30th December 1897 the son of Tom and Clara Lobley (nee Wright). He was baptised at St. Thomas’s Batley on the 30th January 1898 when Tom gave their address as 4, Charlotte Terrace, Dewsbury and his occupation was a grocer. His brother Richard was born on 21st October 1899 when the family lived at the same address was but was baptised at St. Philip’s, Dewsbury.

In 1901 the family was living at 29, Hartley Street, Dewsbury. Tom was employed as a grocer’s assistant. Willie Wright was born on 18th October 1901 followed by Dorothy on 14th August 1909 when the family lived at 38, Hartley Street, Dewsbury.

Alfred attended Carlton Road Schools and was a choir boy at St. Mark’s Church, Dewsbury.

In 1911 the family was still at this address and the census shows that Tom worked as a store keeper at grocers for the Co-operative Society and Alfred was a shop boy for an electricians. There had been another child who had died in infancy.

Before Alfred enlisted he had been employed by Messrs. S.P. Fairhurst, Rag Merchants, Dewsbury whilst his father, Tom, was now the manager of the Dewsbury Co-operative Society’s Commonside Branch and  the family had moved to live at 26, Mitchell Avenue, Halifax Road, Dewsbury.

Service Details

When war broke out Alfred was a member of the Heckmondwike R.F.A. and went into training with them although he was only 16 years old.

He was a driver but quickly won promotion to become a sergeant although he could not go to France with the Battery being underage. He stayed in England with the 62nd Division stationed in different parts of the country and was home on leave before going abroad on 5th January 1917. He sustained a severe gunshot wound to his head on June 5th.  He wrote home to say “sixteen of their men were “laid out” at the same time”. He later wrote to his parents “I am pleased to tell you that I have received the Military Medal”.

He won the Military Medal on June 5th after only being in France for six months. The notification of this was in the London Gazette dated 16th August 1917.

In March 1918 as a result of a saddle slip he fell from his horse and was trodden on sustaining a lacerated scalp wound. After being in hospital in Scotland he was brought to Staincliffe Base Unit Hospital in around May 1918 and was full of gratitude and appreciation for his treatment. His death came as a great shock to his many friends.

A large amount of people attended his funeral at Dewsbury Cemetery on Wednesday, 30th July 1918. The cortege left Staincliffe Base Hospital headed by a firing party of the York and Lancaster’s from Pontefract Depot in charge of Sergeant Pickersgill. The coffin which was draped in a Union Jack was borne shoulder high by a party of soldiers from the hospital in charge of Sergeant C.W. Thornley. The last rites were conducted by Rev. F.G. Feetham, C.F., Chaplain at the Base Hospital, who was assisted by Rev. G. Cutcliffe, Vicar of Batley Carr. Three volleys were fired over the grave and the Last Post was sounded by Bugler W. Ledgard. In addition to the floral tributes from relatives wreaths were placed on the grave from “His comrades on Ground Floor B” at the Base Hospital and the employees of Messrs. Fairhurst and Co.

The family mourners were:- Mr. and Mrs. Lobley, Mr. Willie Lobley, Miss Dorothy Lobley, Mrs. Lobley (grandmother), Miss Taylor (fiancée), Mr. and Mrs. C. Almond (aunt and uncle), Mrs. Crossfield (aunt), Mr. and Mrs. T.F. Conyers (uncle and aunt), Mrs. T.F. Sedgebeer (aunt), Miss Louie Conyers (cousin), Mrs. Harry Senior (aunt), Mrs. Ben Milnes (aunt), Mrs. Parker (aunt), Mrs. Frank Simpson, Mrs. Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. T.H. and Miss Thompson, Mr and Mrs. C. Goodall, Mrs. Preston and Miss M. Stables.    

At the time of his death his brother, Lance Cpl. Richard Lobley was in France with the West Yorkshires. 

Alfred was awarded the Military Medal, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He is remembered with Honour at Holy Trinity Church, Batley Carr and Dewsbury War Memorial.

 

Researched by
Members of Batley History Group