ALFRED PARFOOT
We know surprisingly little about Alfred Parfoot given that he was born in Portsmouth c1883. He does not appear under that name in the 1891 or 1901 census anywhere in the UK which means that the only information about him comes from the 1911 Census. This tells us that he married Ethel Chalmers in 1905 with whom he had three children, Frances, Alfred and Walter. At the time the family were living with Ethel's mother Frances at 6 Stanley Road, Stamshaw.
Curiously, the CWGC and the National Roll give his address as 45 Tipnor Street which is only two doors away from Charles Parfoot and his family at No. 49 Tipnor Street. Both Alfred and Charles are described as Bargemen. Charles lost a son, Thomas Parfoot, in WW1.
Alfred Parfoot volunteered for the army in July 1915 and after training was posted to the Western Front. He took part in many battles possibly including Messines and Ypres. He was wounded on July 29th 1917 and taken to hospital where he died the next day. He was buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery very shortly after the cemetery had been opened.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists Sergeant Alfred Parfoot, (19066), died on 30/07/1917, aged 34 years, 15th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. He is buried at Godewaersvelde British Cemetery (Grave Ref: I.A.26.). Native of Portsmouth. Husband of Ethel Parfoot, of 45, Tipnor St., Twyford Avenue, Stamshaw, Portsmouth.
Alfred Parfoot is remembered on the Cenotaph and in the National Roll, Section X, p172.
Tim Backhouse
January 2014