Chester Chronicle 17/03/1916
Chester-le-Street Chronicle Date Unknown
Report in Newcastle Chronicle 1916
1/8th DLI in France in WW1 1916. C Coy
Frederick Alderson was born on the 18th September 1894 at Front Street, Cornsay Colliery, near Esh Winning. His parents were Joseph and Alice Mary (nee Newman). By 1911 the family had moved to 52 King Street in Birtley where Fred was employed as a coal miner. He was the eldest of four surviving children at the time, Frederick, Emily, and Elizabeth. Another son Joseph was born in 1913.
He enlisted in the 1/8th Durham Light Infantry at Birtley, and was killed on the 26th February 1916 aged 21.
After his death, his parents received a letter from Lance Corporal James Armstrong [this is Sgt James Armstrong, born in Birtley, enlisted in Birtley was awarded the D.C.M. and M.M. KIA 27/05/1918. Ser No. 300337] of the 1/8th Battalion, who had gone back for Fred after the smoke had cleared away.
The letter reads as follows:
Just a few lines in answer to your letter to your son Fred. I am very sorry indeed to inform you that he is missing. We came into the front trench on the afternoon of Saturday, February 26th, when the Germans were having a bombardment. When we reached the front line they were being heavily shelled. Nine of us were standing together when a shell dropped beside us. It killed Pte, Martin Coyle (Durham Road, Birtley) and Pte. A. J Robson. I am sorry to tell you I have not seen or heard of your son since, though after the smoke had cleared away, I went back to the trench to try and find him. Four men were wounded in addition to the two that were killed. I was in charge of your son, and he was always a willing lad and would do anything he was told to do. If he was killed I cannot find his body. When I went back to the trench I could only find three of my bombers, two of whom were killed and one wounded. Your son and I played football together for the Birtley Rovers.
Source: Chester-le-Street Chronicle 17/03/1916.
Research: Jean Atkinson/James Pasby
