1090 Private Alfred John Flexman
2nd Battalion(70th Foot)
East Surrey Regiment
25th April 1915
Born on 06/09/1896 in Peckham, London. His parents were Alfred Ernest Flexman (1871-01/07/1916) and
Sarah Jane Freebury (14/02/1874-1959). They were married on 13/05/1894.
Alfred had 2 brothers, Ernest Leonard (22/02/1898-05/03/1964) and Sydney James (27/08/1911-1988). He also had 4 sisters,
Ellen Jane (1895-14/08/1895), Grace (14/11/1900-1974), Gertrude Amy (09/07/1909-1996) and
Hilda Maud (09/09/1914 - 2004).
In the 1901 census, the family were recorded as living at 32 Middle Street, Camberwell, Camden, London. Alfred snr was
employed as a bricklayer.
By the time of the 1911 census, the family had moved to a new address, 6 Wingfield Street, Peckham, London. Alfred snr.
was still a bricklayer(new buildings) and Alfred was also working as a newsboy after being educated at Choumert Road Schools.
He would go on to be employed by Messrs. Barclay & Fry in Blackfriars South East London.
Alfred enlisted in September 1914 and was sent to France on 23/02/1915.
He was killed in action at Hill 60 during the 2nd battle of Ypres on 25/04/1915.
Alfred was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
His father, Alfred snr. enlisted on 02/01/1915 as Sapper 61719 154th Field Company Royal Engineers. He died of his wounds at the 49th Field Ambulance and is buried in Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Saulty, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord Pas-de-Calais, France. Plot XII.C.17.
It would appear that his brother enlisted at the same time as Alfred as he also enlisted into the 2nd east Surrey Regiment
as Private 1091 and was also sent to France on 23/02/1915. At some point Ernest may have been wounded as he was later transferred as Private 19934 to the Hampshire Regiment. Leonard survived the war and was moved to the reserves on 13/03/1919.