Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Thomas Dale, a coalminer, born on the 18th July 1866 in Sheffield, Yorkshire (son of Daniel Dale, 1839-1914 and Elizabeth Daman (Daymon), 1839-1897) and his wife Mary Jane Dale (nee Knipton (Knifton), married on the 1st July 1890 in the Church of St. Denys, Ibstock, Leicestershire), born on the 29th March 1872 in Ibstock (daughter of Samuel Knifton, 1834 and Phoebe Overton, 1836). Alfred was born in the July quarter of 1896 in Ibstock, his siblings were, John Willie, born on the 2nd November 1890 in Sheffield, Ellen, born on the 14th May 1892, Walter, born on the 25th October 1893, Florence Emma, born on the 8th November 1894, Mary Jane, born on the 15th March 1898 and Elizabeth, born on the 28th February 1900, the latter five siblings were all born in Ibstock, in March 1901 the family home was at 5, Hugglescote Road, Victoria Terrace, Ibstock.
In April 1911 Alfred was employed as an iron works driller and was residing in the family home at 27, Victoria Road, Coalville, Leicestershire, together with his father, a coal miner, his mother and siblings, Ellen, a hosiery trade worker, Walter, a coalminer, Florence, a mothers help, Mary, a schoolgirl, Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, Ada, born on the 19th February 1902, Clara, born on the 4th July 1905 and Doris, born on the 18th November 1906, the latter three siblings were all born in Ibstock and Elsie, born on the 2nd June 1910 in Coalville.
FAMILY NOTES: Alfred’s mother was officially registered at birth with the surname spelling of Knipton, however all future references refer to the spelling as Knifton. Alfred also had another sibling, Lilian, w2ho was born on the 3rd June 1914 in Coalville.
Alfred’s army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted/Attested in Coalville into the Regular Army. Date not known.
Joined. At Leicester. Date not known.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 16476.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in France. 4/5/15.
Joined. 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. Date not known.
Allocated to “D” Company, 13th Platoon.
Promoted. To Lance Corporal. Date not known.
Reported missing. In the Field. 15/9/16.
Accepted for official purposed to have died on or since 15/9/16.
Body not recovered. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
Awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In the event of his death, Alfred nominated his mother, Mary Jane Dale as his sole legatee.
The War Diary records: 15 Sep-16 - Battalion moved into its attack position during the night and were finally settled down and ready to attack by 4.30am. 2nd Lieutenant DAVIES attached Q 6th Division. The Commanding Officer decided to attack with “D” and “B” Companies in the front line, with “D” on the left and “B” on the right. “A” and “C” Companies formed the second line, with “A” on the left and “C” on the right. Two Lewis Guns accompanied each Company, and two were left in reserve with Battalion Headquarters. Two Bombing Squads of ten each were also formed in each Company. These squads carried the full amount of bombs, while every man also carried two Mills No.5 bombs (one in each pocket). The fighting strength of the Battalion going into action was 23 officers including (the Medical Officer and Chaplain) and 643 other ranks. About 5.50am two enemy aeroplanes appeared above us, but did not stay long. About this time also, a Tank was noticed on our right moving quietly up to the enemy’s front line. On arriving there he immediately opened fire with his machine guns, enfilading the German trench on either side. He was very heavily fired on by the enemy’s machine guns which apparently had no effect as he still continued his movements and firing. Nothing further happened till ZERO (6.20am) when the attack commenced. The leading Company’s at once advanced at the walk in from lines 30X entrance between lines. A heavy machine gun fire was immediately opened by the enemy from about T.15 b 0.4. The Support Companies followed on in the same formation 300X in the rear of the last wave of the leading Company. Battalion Headquarters moved immediately in the rear of the last wave of Support Companies. The mist and smoke was terribly thick, and allowed no observation by the Support Company’s and Battalion Headquarters as to what was exactly happening to the leading Companies. Owing to this (mist and smoke) a slight error occurred in direction. The right and left under orders to keep in touch with units attacking on our right and left, moved with these units thereby causing a small gap near our centre. This was immediately filled up by Support Companies. The Artillery barrage opened too late to do any harm as the whole of the Supports had crossed the road moving due south from GINCHY (the place where the barrage was directed) before the barrage commenced. Battalion Headquarters had by this time moved into a shell hole about T.14 b 7.4. Throughout the advance the Battalion suffered very heavily from Machine Gun fire. The Battalion had not gained its objective line held up by very heavy fire, and the very strong and undamaged wire of the trench leading from the North West corner of the Left Quadrilateral (a strong point hitherto unknown). “A” Company immediately entrenched itself on a small ridge about T.14 b 9.6 to T.14 b 8.2. Efforts were made to locate the exact positions of “B,” “C” and “D” Companies. It was found that “B” and “C” were entrenched about T.14 b 7.7 had lost very heavily while unsupported. “D” Company had lost very heavily also and the remainder (“D” Company) were still advancing with the GUARDS and occupying shell holes between our new position and the German wire (a few of the latter came in under the cover of darkness). Good communication was kept with the contact aeroplane by means of flares and groundsheets throughout the day. Great difficulties were experienced in keeping track with Brigade Headquarters owing to the impossibility of using means of wired signalling, and the heavy barrage kept up throughout the day making it impossible for a runner to succeed in getting through. And then later Private PARRY (“A” Company) did excellent work in getting through and returning safely to us, thus three times saving the day, he was finally detained by Brigade Headquarters after a fourth journey. Throughout the day the trenches were improved, and by night everyone had more or less good cover. “A” Company, “B” Company and Headquarters were subjected to heavy shell fire throughout the day. “B” and “C” Company were moved up to where our new line was continued to the right and left. The night was quiet except for heavy sniping in front of “C” Company and its attack on one line of trenches and a communication trench (in course of construction) line carried without any serious opposition. These were occupied by the 9th Bavarian Regiment. No prisoners were taken. Casualties, 2nd Lieutenant J. C. WEBB, 2nd Lieutenant J. G. KENNEDY and Lieutenant A. H. PINDER were all killed. 2nd Lieutenant F. B. STEVENSON, Captain H. PICKBOURNE, 2nd Lieutenant H. A. GRAVES, 2nd Lieutenant W. BLACKLOCK, Captain G. H. SALMON, Lieutenant J. H. JOHN and 2nd Lieutenant R. PICKERSGILL were all wounded. Captain C. W. HERBISON, 2nd Lieutenant G. H. GRISTWOOD, 2nd Lieutenant J. BURNETT and 2nd Lieutenant J. G. GARDNER were all wounded and subsequently died. Other Ranks, “A” Company 23, “B” Company 35, “C” Company 23 and “D” Company 27 were killed. “A” Company 36, “B” Company 69, “C”. Company 56 and “D” Company 60 were wounded. “A” Company 5, “B” Company 11, “C” Company nil and “D” Company 16 missing in action.
On Thursday May 10th, 1917, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 6, under the heading. – ROLL OF HONOUR. – Pte. A. Dale, Leicester’s, unofficially reported killed in action. Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Dale, Coalville.
On the 22nd June 1917, Alfred’s mother Mary Jane Dale, of 27, Victoria Street, Coalville, Leicestershire, was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of eight shillings, commensurate on the 19th June 1917.
[recognitum XXVI-III-MMXXIV]

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Photograph of Alfred Dale kindly supplied by his nephew, K. Cooper, in 2016.


Coalville Times article - Friday November 10th, 1916

LANCE-CORPORAL DALE

One of the Coalville men recently reported in the official lists of Leicesters missing, was L-Corporal Alfred Dale, whose home is at 27, Victoria Street, Coalville.

In reply to an enquiry by the parents, Lieut. Kidd writes, “Your son was in my company on September 15th when this battalion went into action. I am sorry to say that he has been reported as missing, and we are still trying to find out what has happened to him. He was one of the best N.C.O.’s in my company, and I wish I had him with me now.”

Coalville Times article - Friday April 27th, 1917

Mr J. T. Dale, a collier, employed at the South Leicestershire Colliery, and residing at Victoria Road, Coalville, has been informed of the death of his son, Private Alfred Dale, of the Leicestershire Regiment, previously reported missing. The news in conveyed in a letter from a comrade, who forwarded some of the deceased’s belongings. Private Dale was only 19 years of age, and formerly worked at South Leicestershire Colliery. He was a popular member of the Coalville Swifts football team.

Coalville Times article - Friday July 27th, 1917

After having been missing since September 15th, 1916, Lance-Corporal Alfred Dale, of the Leicestershire Regiment, is now concluded to have been killed on that date or since. Notice to this effect from the War Office has been received by the soldier’s parents, Mr and Mrs Thomas Dale, of 27, Victoria Road, Coalville. Deceased was only 20 years of age, and had two birthdays in the trenches. He joined up when war broke out, prior to which he was working at the South Leicestershire Colliery. He used to play outside right for Coalville Swifts F.C. and was a very promising forward.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 18/10/2017