Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Wesson, a mechanic, born 29th July 1862 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and his wife Elizabeth Rose Wesson (nee Tinkler, married on the 14th June 1886 in the Leicester district), born on the 14th November 1860 in Scalford, Leicestershire. Alfred was born in the 4th quarter of 1889 in Leicester, he had one sibling, a brother George Henry, born in the 4th quarter of 1888 in St. Margaret’s, Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at Frank Street, Leicester. In March 1901 Alfred was residing in the family home at Gibb’s Villas, Park Road, Coalville, Leicestershire together with his father, a locomotive engine fitter, his mother and siblings, George, Nelly, born 26th June 1891, Florence May, born 31st March 1894, Archibald B., born 1st August 1895, the latter three siblings were all born in Leicester, Thomas, born 13th October 1896 and Harold, born 9th February 1900, the latter two siblings were both born in Coalville. On the 23rd August 1910, Alfred’s mother died aged 47 in Coalville. In April 1911 Alfred was absent from the family home at 65, Park Road, Coalville, residing there was his widowed father, an engineer’s locomotive fitter, and his siblings, Nelly, a house keeper, May, a domestic servant, Archibald, a coal miner and underground pony driver, Harold, a schoolboy and Rose Dorothy, born 6th March 1902 in Coalville, Alfred was serving as a Private (Lance Corporal) with the 1st Battalion Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters) and was stationed at Gough Barracks, Trimulgherry, Deccan, India. His elder brother George Henry fell in action in May 1915. Alfred also had a half blood sister, Ada Mary Tinkler, born in the 1st quarter of 1882 in Melton Mowbray, his father died on the 10th March 1948 aged 85 at 9, Swannington Road, Ravenstone, Leicestershire, this being the family home of Alfred’s brother Thomas.
Alfred’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters), being allotted the service number 10849, and was posted as a Private to the 1st Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment and with this unit he first entered the theatre of war in France on the 4th November 1914. During his service he attained the rank of Lance Sergeant, he died in No.14 General Hospital, Wimereux, France from wounds received in action. He was awarded the 1914 STAR, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On Saturday March 20th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” - LOCAL CASUALTIES. COALVILLE SERGEANT’S DEATH FROM WOUNDS. Mr. William Wesson, fitter, employed at the Midland Railway engine sheds, Coalville, has been notified officially that his second son, Sergeant Alfred Wesson, Sherwood Foresters, has died from wounds received in action. He was in hospital at Boulogne. Wesson, who was shot through both legs, was in India at the outbreak of the war, and before going to the front spent a few days at Coalville with his father. Sergt. Wesson was 26 years of age, and unmarried. He served seven years in the Sherwood Foresters, six years of which he served in India. His brother Harry is serving in the same battalion, and another brother Archibald, enlisted in the 3rd Leicester’s. Rev. Robert F. Callaway, writing from No.14 General Hospital, Boulogne, on the 12th inst., to the deceased’s father at Coalville, said: “I am very sorry to have to tell you that your son died at 4:30 this morning. I thought he was going on well, and when I last saw him he was quite bright and cheerful. I am sure that he himself did not think that he was likely to die. When I wrote to you before he was so anxious that I should tell you ‘not to worry.’ The funeral will be at 2:15 this afternoon, and he will be buried in the cemetery at Wimereux in the space reserved for British soldiers. The Royal Engineers are going to put up wooden crosses over the graves, and after the war the British Government will erect a monument with the names of all those who are buried in the cemetery. Sergt. Wesson only a fortnight ago wrote to his father, and said that his brother and he were all right, and expected to have a “big go” shortly, and he would be in it. Sergeant Wesson gained distinction as an athlete and footballer in his battalion in India. He won a 25 miles army Marathon championship (silver medal), 10¼ miles race open to the world (silver medal), and in an 11¼ miles Durbar race, he was 15th home. He also possessed a regimental football medal, and was a fine shot.
On Monday 19th July 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – Coalville Brothers Killed in Action. - ARMY CHAPLAIN’S LETTER OF CONDOLENCE. Mr. William Wesson, of 106, Margaret-street, Coalville, whose sons Sergeants G. H. and Alfred Wesson, were killed at the front after serving some years in the Sherwood Foresters in India, has received the following letter from an army chaplain at the Rawal Pindi, British General Hospital, Boulogne Base, British Expeditionary Force, dated 15th inst.:-
Dear Mr. Wesson, - I enclose a photograph of the soldiers’ graves at Wimereux, at the request of the Rev. R. F. Callaway. If you would kindly write to me in about a month’s time I will send you a copy of another we are having taken ...There is no charge for the photograph, but if you cared to send a small donation, I would hand it to the English lady who has made herself responsible for the upkeep of the graves. The ladies and some of the hospital orderlies are very good in spending their spare time in planting flowers, etc., and later on we hope to have turf placed on the graves. I must offer you my deepest sympathy in the second great loss you have had. It is indeed sad, but you will, I know, rejoice that your boys answered the call of duty rather than that they were shirkers. They have done what they could, and no man can do more. No one would wish them to do less, least of all, I am sure, yourself. Your share is the sorrow of being left to mourn them. May the God who made us, give you comfort, and then peace and rest. I am yours, sincerely, ARTHUR LONGDON (Chaplain to the Forces).

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Article in the Coalville Times, Friday October 9th, 1914

CHRISTMAS DINNER IN BERLIN

COALVILLE SOLDIER’S OPTIMISM

LOCAL MEN FROM INDIA FOR THE FRONT

Four soldiers who have just arrived from India reached Coalville on Monday morning on four days’ leave of absence, prior to rejoining their regiment which has orders for the front. They were Lance-Corpl. A. Wesson and Lance-Corpl. C. H. Wesson, brothers, sons of Mr Wesson, a Midland Railway fitter, residing in Margaret Street, Coalville. Pte. A. Concannon of Church Lane, Whitwick, and Pte. Hartshorne of Swannington. All are in the Notts and Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters), who since arriving in this country have been encamped at Hursley Park, on Sir J. Cooper’s estate near Winchester. The four named have all been in the army for some years.

In an interview with Lance-Corpl. A. Wesson, a representative of this paper learned that the whole regiment are in high spirits at the prospect of going to the front and are eager for the fray.

They left Bombay on September 3rd and landed at Plymouth on October 1st, the whole regiment comprising about 1100. these were all brought over in one transport, and came part of the way with Indian troops which were landed at Marseilles. In all, there were 26 troopships, and, escorted by the battleships, Wesson said it was a fine sight. The Indian troops are splendid, he said, and would strike terror into the hearts of the Germans. The Gourkhas, in particular, he considered a fine body of men and splendid fighters.

Wesson, who looked bronzed, said he had been two years at Bombay where it was very hot. He would have finished his time in the army next June, but was now continuing in the service. “You are fond of army life?” queried our reporter, “Oh, yes,” was the response, “and we are all looking forward to getting to the front.”

Questioned as to whether there had been any exciting incidents in Bombay, Wesson replied that the enemy had not made his appearance there but English vessels had brought in numerous German ships which had been captured and the British Tommies had been guarding them. His regiment, he went on to say, had been abroad for 16 years and went through the South African war. As far as they knew they were to leave England for the front sometime this month, and he believed that about 70,000 troops were leaving for the war.

“Kitchener means business,” he added enthusiastically, “and we have all been saying in our regiment that we shall have our Christmas dinner in Berlin. I’ll send you a bit of pudding.”

Referring again to the journey from India, Wesson said ten of the transports sailed from Bombay and the others joined them at Port Said. They sighted no hostile craft on the way but had the unique experience of witnessing a wreck. They saw a vessel disappear beneath the waves, but, happily, all the crew were saved. Apart from this, it was an uneventful journey. The dusky soldiers who had gone to the front were, he said, the flower of the Indian Army and would give a good account of themselves. It was pleasing to hear Wesson say how well the white soldiers got on with the dark men in the service of India. The Indian soldiers, he affirmed, would readily lay down their lives for the English soldiers.

Wesson is an old Coalville Athletic footballer, and has gained a good reputation at the game while in Bombay, having won several medals. Had things gone on in a normal way he would have completed his seven years in the army next June and intended playing for Coalville Town next season. He finds the English climate very chilly after Bombay, but said the army provided them with good warm clothing.

Before leaving Wesson, I assured him that readers of the “Coalville Times” wished him and his pals the best of luck, and that I should look out for that bit of pudding.

The four men left Coalville yesterday to rejoin their regiment at Winchester.

Coalville Times article - Friday March 12th, 1915

Mr W. Wesson, fitter, employed at the Midland Railway engine sheds, Coalville, has received information that his son, Sergt. Alfred Wesson, 2nd Leicesters, Indian Expeditionary Force, has been wounded – shot through both legs. He is in hospital at Boulogne. Wesson was in India at the outbreak of the war, and before going to the front spent a few days at Coalville, being accompanied by his brother, who is also serving in the 2nd Leicesters.

Coalville Times article - Friday March 19th 1915:

COALVILLE SERGEANT’S DEATH

CHAPLAIN’S KIND LETTERS TO PARENTS

(Passed by Press Bureau)

Writing from the General Hospital, Boulogne Base, on March 6th, to Mr W. Wesson, of Margaret Street, Coalville, the Rev. Robert F. Callaway, chaplain of the forces, states: “Your son, Sergt. A. Wesson, has, I am sorry to say, been wounded by a rifle bullet through both legs. He received his wound three days ago and was admitted to this hospital last evening. He is being operated on now at this moment. Do not worry about him. He has a splendid courage and before the operation we prayed together that God would bless the work of the surgeon. I will write later and let you know how he goes on.”

WESSON DIES OF HIS WOUNDS

Unfortunately, since the receipt of the above letter, Wesson has succumbed to his injuries. Another letter from the Chaplain, the Rev. F. Callaway, dated 12th inst., states: “I am very sorry to have to tell you that your son died at 4.30 this morning. I thought he was going on well, and when I last saw him he was quite bright and cheerful. I am sure that he himself did not think that he was likely to die. When I wrote to you before he was so anxious that I should tell you ‘not to worry’. The funeral will be at 2.15 this afternoon, and he will be buried in the cemetery at Wimeraux in the space reserved for British soldiers. The Royal Engineers are going to put up wooden crosses over the graves, and after the war the British Government will erect a monument with the names of all who are buried in the cemetery.”

Sergeant Wesson was in the Sherwood Foresters, was 26 years of age and was unmarried. He was a well-known footballer and athlete. He won a 25 miles army marathon championship (silver medal), and in an 11 3/4 miles Durbar race he was 15th home. He also possessed a regimental football medal, and was a fine shot. In October, when his regiment was in England, from India, before going to the front, Wesson was interviewed by our reporter and cheerfully asserted that they would be having their Christmas dinner in Berlin. The deceased has two brothers serving in the forces.

Article in the Coalville Times, 26/03/1915:

THE LATE SERGT. WESSON

AN APPRECIATION BY FATHER DEGAN

News has just been received of the death in France through wounds received in action of Alfred Wesson, who only a few months ago interrupted his recent journey through India to the Western theatre of war by a visit to his relatives and friends in Coalville. He was in the Sherwood Foresters and thought his regiment the finest in the army. Whilst stationed at Delhi he bought a silk set of his regimental colours for 25 rupees (two pounds) and sent it to his father. In September he wrote from Bombay to say that all was bustle and hurry in speeding up the preparations for a hasty embarkation to Europe for the war. During his short stay in Coalville, he called with his friend Leonard Sheffield, at “The Scotlands,” Forest Road, and there received scapulars and a badge of the Sacred Heart, emblems of piety which are being worn by thousands of our troops at the front. He looked forward eagerly to distinguish himself on the battlefield and to returning to Coalville with some military decoration for conspicuous bravery. Soon after his arrival in France, he had to spend a few weeks in hospital on account of frost-bitten feet. In December he wrote to Leonard Sheffield for a cake for Christmas, which would be, he said, a very welcome treat, “on coming out of the trenches” and he added the remark that it is not only a matter of “getting out but also of getting under” in order to escape the enemy’s bullets.

The sacrifice he made of his life proves that the days of the hero are not over. The men who are exposing their lives in the trenches are the saviours of our country. No tyrannical foreign power will ever print the footsteps of slavery on our shores so long as the same undaunted spirit breathes in Britain’s sons as inflamed the breast of Alfred Wesson, and which inspires the vast army of young champions of liberty who are reddening the fields of France with their blood. Whilst already some of these heroes lie cold in their graves, it is a sacred duty to keep the memory of them and of our irredeemable indebtedness to them, ever fresh and green in our minds.

Joseph Degan

Article in the Coalville Times 7/5/1915:

"Another Coalville Soldier Promoted - How his brother died.
Sergt. G. H. Wesson, of the Sherwood Foresters, son of Mr William Wesson, of the Midland Railway Loco Department, Coalville, and brother of Sergt. Alfred Wesson (Mr Wesson’s second son, a noted army athlete, who died in the general hospital at Boulogne from wounds on the 12th March) writing to his father from France, says: “Every man enlisted is a help, “one of ours is worth twenty Almands.” The sergeant proceeds, “I can tell you one thing I saw in the papers that upset my palate, and that was the strike amongst the working class. I wish I had got a few here. I would make them that they would not strike again. What would England be if our soldiers were to stop in the midst of an action?” Telling of his brother’s death, he says, “He had done his turn in the trenches, when he was in the rear of his platoon, in case anyone should fall out. Whilst crossing a road a machine gun was turned on them, and Alf, being in the rear, was the first to get in the line of fire. He was hit through both legs, about a foot above the knees. He did not seem to feel a deal of pain, as he was laughing and saying to his chum, ‘I shall be in England first now’. A young chap of Kitchener’s Army got mentioned for his good work in putting two tourniquets, fastened with bayonets, on Alf’s legs. The first time I saw him I thanked him for his pluck and first aid work. Everyone here, including the officers, asked about Alf, and all expressed their sorrow on hearing of his death. You will be pleased to know that I have been promoted sergeant; also to know that I have had a bit of my own back for Alf. I was very sorry to see the deaths of so many Coalville men, but at the same time proud of them dying for their King and country. You will also see in the casualty list that my regiment did not get off scot free.”

Coalville Times article - Friday June 4th, 1915

Coalville Railwayman's Two Sons Killed

Mr Wm. Wesson, 108 Margaret Street, Coalville, employed as engine fitter at the Midland Railway locomotive sheds, Coalville, who has lost two sons, (Alfred and Harry, both sergeants in the Sherwood Foresters) in the war within two months – one in March and the other in May, has received the following letter from Lord Aberconway, the former member for the Bosworth Parliamentary Division, 49, Belgrave Square, London, 29th May, 1915.

Dear Mr Wesson,

I was very sorry to read in the papers the news that your son, Sergeant Geo. H. Wesson, has been killed in action. This following on the loss of his brother must be a great blow to you, but you ought to be proud that you had so many sons serving the country.

Like all your friends I sincerely trust that good fortune will follow your two other sons. Please convey to every member of your family, and to the young lady that he was to be married, my most sincere sympathy.

Believe me,
Yours truly.
ABERCONWAY

Coalville Times article - Friday November 10th, 1916

MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday evening an impressive service was held in the Coalville London Road Baptist Church in memory of thirteen former scholars of the Sunday School who have fallen in action. Their names are, Lieut. Ford, Lieut. T. Dooley, D.C.M., Sergeant Alfred Wesson, Sergeant G. H. Wesson, Privates C. W. Jewsbury, H. G. Wharmby, Clifford Scott, T. Black, E. S. Boot, F. Martin, Jos. Wardle, James Wardle and J. Martin.

There was a large congregation which included the members of the Coalville Volunteer Training Corps, under the command of Commandant J. S. Turner. The pastor, the Rev. F. Pickbourne, conducted the service and gave an appropriate address. The choir rendered Sullivan’s “Homeland” and Mr J. H. Starkey (organist) played a funeral march by Beethoven. Suitable hymns were also sung by the congregation.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby, September 2017.