Alfred Henry Bushby, one of 9 children of whom only 7 survived, was the 3rd born of 4 brothers and 5 sisters. His father Alfred Bushby was born at Wood House, Guisborough, Yorkshire, August 22nd 1870 and baptised September 14th. By the age of 21 he had moved to County Durham where he was married, February 2nd 1892 at Staindrop, district of Teasdale, County Durham, to Sarah Hannah Bushby born July 30th 1870 at Haughton-le-Skerne, Darlington. Their daughter Lilian was born July 15th 1892 at Staindrop, Florence at Barnard Castle, December 7th 1893 and Alfred Henry, February 7th 1895 at Gainford, Whilst Sarah Hannah was pregnant with their fourth child, Lilian, aged 4-years, died April 20th 1896, two weeks later their daughter Emily was born at Gainford, May 5th 1896. Ernest and his brother James Edward were also born at Gainford 1898 and 1900 respectively, in 1901 the family was living at Porch House, Gainford, County Durham, where Alfred Bushby was a local police constable. Son Frederick was born at Escomb, February 18th 1902 but unfortunately his elder brother James Edward died in 1903 aged 3 years. Sarah Hannah went on to have a further 2 children Evelyn, June 17th 1904 and Gladys, May, July 2nd 1909, both born at Thornley, County Durham. By 1911 they were living in 6 rooms at the Police Station in Thornley, Alfred Bushby was Sergeant of Police, Alfred Henry (16) a stone man below ground at the colliery, Ernest (13), Frederick (9) and Evelyn (7) were at school, infant Gladys May (1) was cared for by her mother, living with them was 29-year-old Police Constable Charles Woodard, native of Norwich, Norfolk.

Alfred Henry was married at the Primitive Methodist Church, Bow Street, Thornley, County Durham, December 6th 1913 to Hannah Cowell, born March 24th 1894 at Haswell, County Durham. They settled at 4, Galt Street, Thornley, where their son Alfred Jnr was born, March 10th 1914. After war was declared with Germany, July 28th 1914, Alfred Henry left his employment as a coal miner and enlisted at Sunderland, March 10th 1915 requesting to be assigned to the Gloucester Pioneer Regiment, as this particular regiment had put out an urgent call for miners, labourers, transport workers and anyone used to hard manual work. As well as locals, men from the North East and South Wales, plus labourers from Birmingham, Worcestershire and Herefordshire came forward. Alfred Henry was assigned as Private 17977, joining the 13th Battalion Gloucester Regiment the following day, however he was discharged, April 24th 1915 under King’s Regulations 392 ix, “unfitted for the duties of the corps.”

He returned to his employment and his wife gave birth to their daughter Sylvia in 1918.

His brother Ernest was killed 1st October 1918.

Alfred Henry Bushby died July 23rd 1974 aged 79 years, registered at North Cleveland, his widow Hannah Bushby nee Cowell, aged 81 years, July 13th 1975, at Gateshead, County Durham.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Alfred Henry Bushby is not remembered on a local War Memorial.