Westerman, Alfred John

Alfred was born at Ashwell, Hertfordshire on 11 December 1896, the second son of Arthur and Georgina (nee Gray) Westerman. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell but left at the end of 1910 having attained exemption age.

Alfred enlisted with the Royal Field Artillery Territorial Force, Regimental Number T895730, on 30 October 1915 at Hertford, Hertfordshire. He was posted to the 6C Reserve Brigade, Regimental Number 895730, on 26 February 1917 he was transferred to the 52^nd Battery and on 25 May 1917 he was embarked to the Western Front, France and Flanders as a driver with the Royal Field Artillery. Alfred survived the War and was demobbed on 31 August 1919.

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

He is commemorated on the St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour.

After leaving school he went to work as a bottler at the local brewery. His parents had been proprietors of various pubs including the Fox in Ashwell, and the Saracen’s Head in Bedford.

The 1939 census shows him living in Bedford, Bedfordshire, single, and a cricket bat and hockey stick maker.

Alfred did not marry and lived with his mother and sister in Bedford, Bedfordshire. He left half his estate to his sister Alice (Soames).

Alfred died at Shortstown, Bedfordshire on 5 March 1950.

Alfred’s brother Frank emigrated to Canada in 1910 where he settled in Wellington County, Ontario. It is not known if he served in the War.