Alfred Curzon (1884–1916)

Private

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) 3209 & 200905 1/5th Battalion

Biography
He was one of five serving Curzon brothers. Alfred was born on 28th July 1884 and was a gritstone quarryman before he joined the Sherwood Foresters. He entered France in March 1915 and was killed in action, aged thirty-two, at Gommecourt on 1 July 1916: the first day of the Battle of the Somme. At first he was reported as ‘missing’, then perhaps a prisoner of war, before confirmation that he had been killed. He has no known grave, though is listed on the Thiepval Memorial, France, and on the war memorial at Crich.

Medal Index Record
Awarded Victory, British War and 15 Star Medals.
Entered France 1 March 1915.
Died 1 July 1916.

Newspaper Report

Derbyshire Courier, 25 August 1917
CRICH CASUALTIES
For a considerable time there have been doubts concerning the fate of Private Alfred Curzon, Sherwood Forester's, of Crich, and, and although no news had been received regarding him since July of last year, it was thought he might possibly have been wounded and taken prisoner. A letter from the British Red Cross enquiry Department for wounded and missing appears to confirm the worst fears regarding his fate. The letter received last weekend by a relative states that his battalion went over the top on 1 July to attack, Gommecourt. The fighting was very violent, and German shells and bombs were falling fast between the lines all that day and even at night.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Name CURZON, ALFRED
Initials A
Nationality United Kingdom
Rank Private
Regiment/Service Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Unit 1st/5th Bn
Date of Death 01/07/16
Service No 200905
Casualty type Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A.
Cemetery THIEPVAL MEMORIAL

War graves certificate for Alfred Curzon

Soldiers' Effects Book
Alfred Curzon; 1/5th Bn Notts & Derby; Private 3209; died 1.7.16 on or since; War Gratuity £7 10s 0d; paid out to:
14.1.18 mother Hannah £1 11s 8d
14.1.18 brother George £1 11s 7d
14.1.18 sister Mary £1 11s 7d
14.1.18 brother Samuel (cancelled 9.4.18 at request of brother Frank)
22.2.18 sister Mary £1 11s 7d
23.3.18 brother Frederick £1 11s 7d
11.5.18 brother Walter £1.11.7d
24.4.20 brother Samuel £1 11s 7d
28.3.20 Mrs [unreadable] 10s 0d

Alfred Curzon's brothers Samuel Curzon, Frank Curzon, Frederick Curzon and Walter Curzon (who was also killed) are also on the Roll of Honour.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1891: Chadwicknick Lane, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
John Curzon Head 41 General labourer South Wingfield
Hannah Curzon wife 39   Crich
Frederick Curzon son 15 Brickyard labourer Crich
Samuel Curzon son 14 Brickyard labourer Crich
George W Curzon son 11 Scholar Crich
John Curzon son 8 Scholar Crich
Alfred Curzon son 6 Scholar Crich
Francis Curzon son 3   Crich
Matilda Curzon daughter 11 mo   Crich

RG12 piece 2747 folio 5 page 4

1901: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
John Curzon Head 54 Unoccupied South Wingfield
Hannah Curzon wife 52   Crich
Samuel Curzon son 24 Gritstone quarryman Crich
George Curzon son 21 Gritstone quarryman Crich
Alfred Curzon son 17 Gritstone quarryman Crich
Francis Curzon son 12   Crich
Walter Curzon son 9   Crich
Mary Curzon daughter 5   Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 44 page 7

1911: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
John Curzon Head 65 Framework knitter Crich
Hannah Curzon wife 63   Crich
George Curzon son 26 Gritstone cutter Crich
Alfred Curzon son 23 Gritstone cutter Crich
Francis Curzon son 22 Gritstone cutter Crich
Walter Curzon son 19 Farmer Crich
Mary Curzon daughter 15   Crich

RG14PN20984 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED13 SN103