He was born 1st July 1898, at 55 St Vincent Street, South Shields the son of Sarah Smith Legg, of 23, Ada Street, South Shields, [1911] and the late John Thomas Legg, who was a sea-going Engineer.

He attended Westoe Secondary School and obtained a honours in spoken French in Class II.

When he was only 17 years old, 19th June 1916, Alfred signed up, and was placed on the Army Reserve. Then, in August that year, shortly before his 18th birthday, and because he was under 19, he formally declared that he was prepared to join for service immediately.

He was mobilised 9th August 1916, and the following day joined the Durham Light Infantry, serving in Seaham. On his Conduct Form, he was reported "improperly dressed" at Seaham Harbour station one afternoon, for which he was confined to Barracks for 2 days.

He was posted to France 9th January 1918, where he served as a signaller.

Alfred's Battalion suffered huge losses at the start of the "Spring Offensive", and 21st March 1918, Alfred Legg was one of those lost. Initially posted as missing, on 31st March 1918 he was presumed dead by the War Office.

There was a report from a comrade of his suggesting that he may actually have died on 24th March whilst escaping from the Germans over a bridge which the British blew up.

He is remembered at Harton on H104.03

South Shields Grammar School
The CWGC entry for Private Legg