Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Arthur Heathcote, a shoe maker, born 1862 in Leicester and his wife Clara Elizabeth Heathcote (nee Cooper, married in the 2nd quarter of 1882 in the Leicester district), born 1864 in Cropston, Leicestershire. Alfred Lorenzo was born in the 1st quarter of 1885 in Aylestone Park, Leicester, his siblings were, Walter Knifton, born 1886 in Aylestone Park and George Albert, born 1889 in Enderby, Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at John Street, Enderby. In March 1901 Alfred was absent from the family home at 13, Pope Street, Leicester, residing there was his father, a shoe maker, his mother and siblings, Walter, a shoe trade clicker, George, Lily Beatrice, born 1891 and Frances Annie, born 1895, the latter two siblings were both born in Enderby and Frederick William, born 1897 in Aylestone Park. Alfred’s mother died aged 46 in 1911, and was buried on the 5th March in Moorgate Cemetery, Rotherham, Yorkshire. In April 1911 Alfred’s widowed father, a boot maker was now residing in King Street, Enderby, this was the family home of Alfred’s paternal grandparents, George Heathcote, a manager, born 1838 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire and his wife Hannah Heathcote, born 1839 in Bishop Brigg, County Durham, meanwhile Alfred was employed as a coal miner hewer and was residing at 53, Sheffield Road, Rotherham, Yorkshire, this being the family home of his brother Walter, a coal miner hewer, also residing there was Alfred’s siblings, Albert, a coal miner hewer, Lilly, a domestic worker, Annie, a sugar trade worker, Fred a colliery worker and Harold, a schoolboy, born 1905 in Eckington, Derbyshire. Alfred was badly wounded in the head by a sniper at Spanbroekmolen on the Messines Ridge, he was taken to No. 8 Casualty Clearing Station but died later from his injuries.
Alfred attested into the Territorial Force to serve 4 years Service in the United Kingdom on the 10th August 1914 in Loughborough, Leicestershire. He gave his place of birth as Aylestone Park, Leicester, his age as 29 years and 6 months and his trade or calling as miner, his present employer being the Desford Colliery Coy. He gave his present place of residence as 8, Barlestone Road, Bagworth, Leicestershire. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He stated that he had served for two years with the 1st Volunteer Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. He gave his father George Arthur Heathcote of 14, Barlestone Road, Bagworth and his brother Walter Knifton Heathcote of 8, Barlestone Road, Bagworth, Nr. Coalville as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 9 inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 38 inches. His vision and physical development were described as satisfactory. He was pronounced fit for the Territorial Force on the 10th August 1914 in Loughborough, Leicestershire. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 2110 on the 10/8/14. Posted to the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and Embodied Service commenced on the 10/8/14. Admitted to No.8 Casualty Clearing Station, Bailleul suffering from a gunshot wound to the head received in action and subsequently died of his wounds on the 23/4/15. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 10/8/14 – 27/2/15, 202 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 28/2/15 – 23/4/15, 55 days. Total service 257 days. Alfred was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Alfred’s father George Arthur Heathcote on the 1st May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by W. Young, J.P. for County of Leicester, Blaby Road, Enderby, Leicestershire on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, George Arthur Heathcote, c/o Mrs. Rice, King Street, Enderby. Mother of soldier, none. Full blood brothers of soldier, Walter Heathcote, age 32 of Barlestone Road, Bagworth, Albert Heathcote, age 29 of No.5, Eastwood Lane, Rotherham, Yorks., Frederick Heathcote, age 22 of No.5, Eastwood Lane, Rotherham, Yorks. Full blood sisters of soldier, Lily Heathcote, age 26 of No.5, Eastwood Lane, Rotherham, Yorks., Annie Barnes, age 24 of Folly, Enderby, Leicester. The following letters are preserved in Alfred’s service file: On 8th October 1915 a letter from King Street, Enderby: Sir, Just a few lines to say that I have received the personal effects of the late No. 2110 Private A. L. Heathcote 1/5th Leicester Regiment. Purse and letters also the sum of £2.6.0. With thanks. Yours Truly Mr. G. A. Heathcote, c/o Mrs. Rice, King Street, Enderby. On the 18th September 1923 a letter from the Imperial War Graves Commission, 82, Baker Street, London W.1. addressed to the Officer in Charge of Infantry Records, Lichfield requesting details of Alfred’s next of kin, this was given as G. A. Heathcote, c/o Mrs. Rice, King Street, Enderby, Leicestershire. The letter also confirmed that Alfred had been buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery France in Plot 1, Row K, Grave 7.
The War Diary records: 22 Apr-15 – LOCRE. 7.45pm Battalion Parade. Battalion proceeded to trenches. Arrived 8.55pm. Relief complete 10.00pm. Battalion received warning of enemy advance North of YPRES and use of asphyxiating gases.
The War Diary records: 23 Apr-15 - WULVERGHEM. At 3.00am Lt MOORE arrived with bomb section from DRANOUTRE and proceeded to trench 15.S. Left at 5.00am. Trench 15. Range for rifle grenade -?-.
On Saturday June 5th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “THE WAR.” – Information has been received of the death from wounds of Private A. L. Heathcote, 5th Leicesters (Territorials). Before enlisting he was a member of the Bagworth Prize Band.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Article from Coalville Times 21/05/1915:

Bagworth Soldier dies of wounds - Letter to his sister.

We regret to report the death of a Bagworth soldier, Pte. A. Heathcote, of the 5th Leicesters, as a result of wounds received in action. The news was contained in a letter to his sister, Miss Heathcote, Bagworth, of which the following is a copy:

No. 8 Casualty Clearing Station,
British Expeditionary Force,
April 26th, 1915.

Dear Miss Heathcote,

I am very sorry to tell you your brother, Pte. A. Heathcote, 5th Leicesters died in the hospital on April 23rd. He was severely wounded in the head. He was well cared for and looked after but there was never much hope for him. He did not suffer much pain.

Yours sincerely
M. S. Mewfests
Sister-in-charge

Research undertaken and kindly submitted by A. Murby 30/08/2015