Category: Military
Rank: Gunner
Regiment or Ship: Royal Field Artillery
Service Number(s): 105; 905033; 723653
Occupation: Carman
Date of Birth: 04.05.1884
Place of Birth: Hastings, Sussex
Date of Death: 1936
Address: 12 Salisbury Road, Bexhill on Sea
Photos and newspaper articles
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Family Information
Parents: William Henry Golding, b.1853, and Mary Ann Golding, b. 1855, nee Owen
Siblings: Elizabeth (1880-1943), Mabel, b.1897, and Mary, b.1900.
Alfred married Annie Elizabeth Harris, born 1885, on 17th October 1903 and they had six children – Arthur born 1904, Florence born 1907, William born 1910, Violet born 1911, James born 1912, and Maud born 1914.
First World War Experience
Alfred enlisted on 14th October 1914. He was 5’ 9¾” tall with a chest of 35” – expansion 2”. His vision was good as was his physical development. In civilian life he had been a Carman working for Mr. Wilkinson, a Coal Merchant. Alfred was inoculated against typhoid on 2nd and 12th November 1914 as he was to fight on the Eastern Front.
Although he was demobbed in 1919 he re-enlisted on 13th June 1920. He had grown by 1¼” – due to the good food – and now weighed over 159 lbs with a chest of 35½” – expansion 3”. He had brown eyes, brown hair, 6/6 vision in both eyes, and a fresh complexion. He was finally demobbed on 10th June 1921.
Alfred was awarded the Victory Medal and the Territorial War Medal.