Alfred Stafford - WW1

I believe this photograph of Alfred Stafford was taken just before 23rd November 1914 when he would have completed his three months of basic training.  The aim of which was to build up physical fitness and confidence, to instill discipline and obedience and teach basic military skills to be able to function in the army. 

Alfred had gone back to the same photographic studio to have his photograph taken where he and his young son Norman were photographed - photographers would be very busy taking this type of photograph. 

Alfred with his 3 year old son Norman

This photograph shows that Alfred had been promoted to Corporal.

Corporal Alfred Stafford 1914 

Corporal Alfred Stafford 1914 Restored

The following touching profile of my Grandpa Alfred Stafford was written in 2016 by local historian, Mick Hardy, who believed it was important not only to keep alive the memory of those who were casualties of war, but also to remember local people who returned. My thanks to Mick. 

"Our first Greenside hero to be mentioned, Sergeant Alfred Stafford, who served with the 23rd (Service Battalion) Northumberland Fusiliers (4th Tyneside Scottish). Alfred was the son of John and Margaret Stafford, husband of Margaret James Ramsey Hood of 6 Rose Terrace, Greenside. Children: Albert Henderson Stafford, who was to become an undertaker for the Co-operative Store. Barbara Stafford who was to become a nanny to the children of a French noble family.  She managed to escape France before the German occupation forces arrived during World War Two. Norman Stafford, who was to become a Venture bus driver, and Eleanor Stafford (Eleanor never married). Having previously worked and lived in Winlaton, Alfred, and his family moved to the Folly area of Greenside, where he eventually became a miner (deputy overman) at Greenside Colliery.  

He entered the theatre of war in France, on 9th January,1916.  Alfred was wounded on 1st July, 1916 (first day Battle of the Somme) suffering gunshot wounds to his right shoulder. Alfred, like so many of the 'Tyneside Scots,' lay in the open of 'no man's land with the dead and wounded for thirty six hours. He was eventually found and evacuated back to the UK on the 6th July, 1916, for treatment in hospital. After spending another period in hospital in December, of 1916, Alfred returned to active service in France. Alfred again suffered gunshot wounds, this time to the right leg and left thigh, he was admitted to hospital for treatment on 23rd March 1918. Alfred was evacuated back to hospital for treatment on the 27th March 1918, where he was admitted for further treatment. He also suffered from a bout of Pleurisy, and received treatment until 6th September 1918. Alfred was admitted to the 21st American War Hospital, Paignton, Devon, on the 10th September, 1918.  Alfred was medically examined, and was discharged from service on 6th November 1918, as being no longer physically fit for war service on 6th November 1918, as being no longer physically fit for war service. After his discharge from the Army, Alfred suffered from Bronchitis and the effects of war wounds (the Bronchitis was attributed to him lying in the open for thirty six hours).  In 1923, at the age of forty two years, Alfred took his case to the pensions appeal tribunal.  Dr R J Perring (the family GP) supported Alfred's claim. Alfred never returned to his former occupation as a miner because of his war wounds.

In 1929 Alfred, with his comrades, returned to the battlefields and trenches of Arras, on the Western Front, France, where he was photographed in the company of the Mayoress of Arras.  He also visited the preserved trenches at 'Vimy Ridge' (where the Canadian Corps took the ridge in 1917). Alfred died at his home in Greenside on 13th June, 1947, aged sixty seven years. A true loal hero.

Sincere thanks to Alfred's grand-daughter, Pauline Tweddell, (nee Stafford) for supplying me with the information and allowing me to post this tribute."


When sifting through Aunt Eleanor's 'stuff' we found beautiful, and still surprisingly vibrant embroidered cards made by French and Belgium women that my Grandpa sent to his eldest son Albert "to Albert from father" - Albert was probably collecting them. 

When I blew up the first card I could see something behind the gauze - it was a little card, the gauze was a little pocket.  Because they have been protected these little cards are in pristine condition. However, collectors would not be interested in them as they are soiled, because they are from a coal burning house - for me this is part of their wonderful history.

This card was sent to Alfred's son Norman, who would be about 5 years old.  It has a picture of Lord Kitchener, inset with French wording - roughly translated  is European War 1914-18 a miniature of the English Lord Kitchener" and on the back "To Norman from Father". These cards were bought by a pitman soldier, who took time out to send them to his sons. 

The final card is a Birthday Card sent to Albert  from his cousin Will Hood - I don't know if Will survived the war, but how kind of him to send Albert such a lovely card with such sentiment.

Postcard from Cousin Will Hood

For me the wording on this postcard is heartbreaking, even experiencing the terror and stripping of inhumanity created by this terrible war, all Alfred wanted was to try and keep his family safe and to send his love to his wife and children.

Postcard to Barbara

"21-10-15    Dear Barbara,  I have not time to write a letter tonight, so I just send you this and thank you for your kind letter to me and I hope you and mother and all are keeping well.  I got the parcel last night at bed time, and tell mother I send my best thanks, but I would like to know if she got the postal order and if Albert got the Puttees and knife. Give my my love to all and kiss E & N (Eleanor and Norman) for me.  I will say goodnight from father."