Alfred's Story.
Alfred was born in 1895 to Frederick John and Lillian Bradshaw. He was one of 4 children as listed in the 1911 census, the others being Frederick William, Lillian and Ernest.
At the age of 16 Alfred is listed as a cabinet makers apprentice, as is his brother Fred. Their dad was a master cabinet maker. The family resided at 34 High Street, Runcorn, Cheshire.
Alfred joined the colours with his best friend William Whyte and joined the Liverpool Kings Regiment and landed in France on the 7th November 1915.
He was involved in the 1st Day Of the Somme action and a letter was received by his father, this was published in the local Runcorn paper.
HIGH STREET PAL'S MISFORTUNE. Mr Bradshaw, of High Street, Runcorn, has received a letter stating that his second son, Private Alfred Bradshaw, of the Liverpool Pals, has been rather seriously wounded in action and is now in hospital. Before the war he held a position under the Liverpool Education Authority.
Later after he had died in Etaples, the following article was written in the paper.
PRIVATE ALFRED BRADSHAW, who was 23 years old, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Bradshaw. High Street, Runcorn. He was throughout life the friend of William Whyte, and was by his side through all the happenings of the campaign. He joined the Army with him, went over to France with him, and in the great push on July 1st fought by his side, and was wounded by the same shell. He, like his comrade, succumbed to his injuries in a base hospital in France. He was a lifelong scholar of Brunswick, a member of the Men's Bible Class, St. Paul's Church. and Mrs Yates' Society Class. He was of a retiring, but lovable disposition, and will be greatly missed by many outside the home circle. He showed, very early promise as assistant teacher of woodwork with Mr. Maidwell at Balfour Road Higher Grade School. He has left a gap hard to fill indeed.
Alfred was remembered on a marble tablet that was unveiled in 1920 in the Brunswick Church.
Compiled by Graeme Ainsworth.