Many thanks to Jim Edwards of North Holmwood for this research. Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for additional information.
Alfred Howard Tyler was born on 8th December 1899 in Dorking, Surrey to Alice Tyler.
Alfred’s mother Alice was born in the 3rd quarter of 1872 in Holmwood, Surrey to blacksmith Esay and Emily, born about 1838 in Dorking. Alice was baptised on 11th August 1872 at St Mary’s Church in Holmwood.
At the time of the 1891 Census, Alice was working as a housemaid of solicitor William Godden at 2 Ridgefield, Wimbledon.
At the time of the 1901 Census, Alfred was a nurse child of Harriett Ansell at Starmount, Beare Green. His mother Alice was a servant of Henry Roffey at Coldharbour, Surrey.
Alice married George Worsfold in the 2nd quarter of 1902 in Dorking, Surrey. George Worsfold was born about 1869 in Coldharbour.
Alfred had two known half-siblings: James born about 1904 in South Holmwood and Dorothy born about 1907 in Leith Hill.
On the 15th of June 1903 Alfred was admitted into South Holmwood Church of England School. At the time of his admission the family lived at Spring Cottage, South Holmwood.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at Spook Hill, North Holmwood. George was working as a gardener and Alice was at home. The household further comprised of their children James, Dorothy and Alfred. The accommodation had four rooms.
Initially Alfred enlisted into the 1st Battalion, the Buffs (East Kent Regiment), and was then transferred to 10th Battalion (Royal East Kent and West Kent Yeomanry) of the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) with number G/21932. At the time of his enlistment he resided in Dorking. This battalion had been formed in Egypt on 1st February 1917 from the two dismounted Kent Yeomanry Regiments and saw action there and in Palestine. It moved to France, arriving in early May 1918. It then undertook training for this different type of warfare and entered the front line in July. On 21st September 1918 the battalion took part in an attack that was repulsed, suffering about 100 casualties killed, wounded or missing.
At the time of his death he was part of the 10th (Royal East Kent and West Kent Yeomanry) Battalion, the Buffs (East Kent Regiment). The battalion had been formed in Egypt on 1st February 1917 from the dismounted Kent Yeomanry Regiments and moved to France in February 1917.
Alfred was “Assumed Dead”. His mother, Mrs Alice Worsfold, lived at 5 Bentsbrook Road. However when his service medals were sent out to his family after the war the Medal Index Card they were returned as undeliverable and not subsequently claimed, suggesting that the family had moved away.
Alfred Tyler was killed in action on or around 21st September 1918 in France. He is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial in France. His memorial reference number is: Panel 3.
He received the British War and Victory medals.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
|---|---|---|
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Alice Tyler and George Worsfold of Spring Cottage, South Holmwood | |
| Regiment | 10 Bn The Buffs. (East Kent Memorial) – Listed as Royal West Kent Regiment on memorial | |
| Number | G/21932 | |
| Previous Regiment | 1st Battalion. East Kent Regiment. The Buffs | |
| Date of Death | 21st September 1918 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 19 | |
| Memorial | Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France |
