Alfred H's Story.
Birkenhead News 26 May 1915Birkenhead Engineer Dies of Wounds.
“THE PENALTY MOTHERS MUST PAY.”
Word has been received by Mrs. Evans, late Mrs. Williams, of Camden Street, of the death of her son, Pte. Alfred H Williams, of the Cheshire Field Co. R.E. The news was conveyed to Mrs. Evans in a letter written to her by Company-Sergt-Major T. Quigley, who expresses his deep sympathy with her. He says that he was very surprised when he heard of Pte. Williams’s death, as he appeared to be recovering from his wounds. Continuing, he says “I know it is a sad and hard blow to those at home when they lose their dear ones, but it is the penalty that mothers and wives must pay in this war. We are all entirely in God’s hands, and we must submit and say ‘Thy Will be done.’ You must try and console yourself (if there can be any consolation) with the knowledge that your son died bravely doing his duty. He was a thorough brick. The whole of the company are deeply grieved in the loss of our comrade, and join with me in sending our deepest sympathy to you in your bereavement.”
Pte. Williams enlisted about twelve months last February, and went out to the front with the first contingent of the Cheshire Field Co. R.E. from Harrowby Road. Previous to going to the front he was an apprentice at Messrs. Cammell Laird’s.
Photograph and newspaper article by Chris Booth