No.7953, Sergeant, Alfred Manning BAREFORD
Aged 31
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Alfred Manning Bareford was born in Swaffham Bulbeck (Newmarket Q4-1885 3b:540), baptised in Swaffham Bulbeck on 1st August 1886, son of Reuben Manning and
Priscilla Jane BAREFORD (née AVES).
1891 census...Aged 5, he was at High Street, Swaffham Bulbeck with his father Reuben M BAREFORD [33] labourer; his mother Priscilla [29]; sisters Rosetta [11], Annie [9] and Clara [1] and brothers George [7] and Thomas [3]. The whole family were born in Swaffham Bulbeck. 1901 census...Aged 16, a labourer, he was at Commercial End, Swaffham Bulbeck with his parents; brothers George and Thomas (both labourers) and sister Clarasia. Also 6 new siblings, sisters Emma [9], Dora [7] and Eve [1] and brother Alvah [5], Leonard [3] and Adam [1]. All the new children were born in Swaffham Bulbeck 1911 census...Aged 25, he was a Corporal in the Essex regiment at Warley, Brentwood, Essex. His parents were still at Commercial End, Swaffham Bulbeck with his brother Alvah, Leonard and Adam and Adam's twin sister Eve. His mother had borne 13 children, but one had died. The pension card still has his parents at Commercial End, Swaffham Bulbeck. |
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He enlisted in Cambridge.
After securing the area around Arleux at the end of April, the British determined to launch another attack east from Monchy to try and breakthrough the Boiry Riegel and reach the Wotanstellung, a major German defensive fortification. This was scheduled to coincide with the Australian attack at Bullecourt in order to present the Germans with a two-pronged assault. British commanders hoped that success in this venture would force the Germans to retreat further to the east. With this objective in mind, the British launched another attack near the Scarpe on 3 May. War Diary extract Thu., May 3, 1917 Attack commenced at 3.45 am. Our barrage heavy. The assaulting Companies (A on the left and C on the right) met with very heavy M.G. fire and were almost wiped out. B Coy (the support Coy) also met with same opposition. At about 5.0 am it appeared that the attack had failed. The enemy still held the CHEMICAL WORKS on our right and the 9th Division on the left had not gone forward on the left. Lieut St. G. Showers left to organise and hold our original front line with 2 platoons. D Coy and details of 2nd LANCS FUS and 1st KINGS OWN REGTS. The 1st RIFLE BRIGADE came into close support position during the afternoon. Hostile counter attack on right of 9th Division failed. Enemy shelled support trenches during day and night. There is now a SHOPI supermarket on the site of the chemical works at Roeux. Of the 90 men of the 2nd Essex to die that day, 78 have no known grave and are named on the Arras Memorial
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission and also on the tablet of the Swaffham Prior Zion Church click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
