Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Alfred Sydney Wakeford was born on 19th July 1883 in Dorking, Surrey to William and Louisa Esther Alberta (nee Smith). He was baptised on 26th August 1883 at St Paul’s church, Dorking. At the time of his baptism the family lived in Falkland Gardens and William was working as a gardener.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Harrow Gate Gardens in Dorking. William was working as a gardener and Louisa was at home looking after their children: Louisa, Charles, Alfred and Florence.
At the time of the 1901 Census, Alfred was a servant for “Grocer Provision Merchant & Off Licence” John A. Jordison at 144 Park Lane, Tottenham. Alfred was working as a grocer.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Alfred was a boarder of oil and colour man assistant George Edwin Wood, at 1 Gladstone Cottages, Church Road in Epsom. Alfred was working as a grocer’s assistant.
Alfred married Ada Florence Long on 17t July 1911 at St Nicholas’ church, Thames Ditton, Surrey. Alfred was working as a tradesman and the couple lived at Weston Green, Thames Ditton.
Ada was born in the 2nd quarter of 1881 in Woking Station, Surrey to railway engine driver Charles, born 1840 in Weston Green, Thames Ditton and Dorothy, born about 1840 in Broughton, Huntingdonshire. At the time of the 1911 Census, Ada was a boarder of Lydia Portway at 49 Holmewood Gardens, London. She was working as a boot shop assistant.
The couple had three sons: Alfred C born in the 2nd quarter of 1912; Sydney W born in the 2nd quarter of 1914 and Clifford J. born in the 4th quarter of 1915, all in Chertsey, Surrey.
According to the 1913 Kelly’s Directory Alfred lived in Albany Road, Hersham, Walton on Thames and he was working as an oilman. In January 1917, Alfred of The Green, Hersham, Walton on Thames was temporarily exempt for a month from military service.
Alfred attested on 8th March 1917 in Kingston into the 27th Training Reserve Battalion. He was a Private with regimental number 31519. At the time of his attestation he was working as a merchant and lived at the Park View, Lower Green Road in Esher.
Alfred was transferred into the Norfolk Regiment, Infantry Base Depot. He was a Private with regimental number was 32308.
At the time of his death he became part of the 1/6th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment. He was a Private with regimental number was 55644.
Pte. Wakeford of the Labour Battalion whose house is at the Green, has been posted as missing. He has a wife and three children.
Alfred Wakeford Missing Notice © Surrey Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Alfred Wakeford was killed in action on or since 11th June 1917 in Belgium. His body was never found.
He is commemorated on the Nieuport Memorial in Belgium.
Alfred’s wife Ada received £2, 6s and 10d on 19th October 1918 and a further £3 on 13th November 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Wakeford Family History
Alfred’s father William was born in the 2nd quarter of 1854 in Dorking to agricultural labourer James, born about 1827 in Westcott, Surrey and Rebecca, born about 1830 in Warnham, Sussex. Alfred’s mother Louisa Esther Alberta Smith was born in the 1st quarter of 1859 in Hungerford, Berkshire to shoemaker Thomas, born about 1817 in Hungerford, Berkshire and Jane, born about 1821 in Shalbourne, Berkshire. William and Louisa married in the 3rd quarter of 1877 in Dorking.
Alfred Sydney had four siblings: Louisa Harriett born about 1878; William, born about 1880; Charles Frederick born 1884 and Florence S. born about 1891, all in Dorking.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at 2 Victoria Cottages in Westcott. William was working as a woodman’s labourer and Louisa was looking after their children Louisa and William.
In 1922 Ada lived at the Park View, Lower Green Road, Esher, Thames Ditton.
Alfred Sydney’s parents lived in Holmwood Gardens, Dorking.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Esher, Surrey | |
| Son of | William and Louisa Wakeford of Holmwood Gardens | |
| Husband of | Ada Florence Wakeford of Park View, Lower Green Road, Esher, Surrey | |
| Regiment | 1/6th Battalion, The Welsh Regiment | |
| Number | 55644 | |
| Date of Death | 11th July 1917 | |
| Place of Death | Flanders | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 34 | |
| Memorial | Nieuport Memorial, Belgium |
