Lance Corporal Alfred Roland Randall
| Date of Birth | c. 1886 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 32 |
| Date of Death | 24 March 1918 |
| Service Number | 34399 |
| Military Service | 35th Coy, Machine Gun Corps |
| Merton Address | 34 Cavendish Road, Colliers Wood |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Born in Southwark in 1886, Alfred was the son of Emily and Joseph Randall. According to the 1891 Census his father Joseph and his family lived at 20 Waleron Buildings, Southwark. Joseph was employed as a Hydraulic Lift Driver. The Census reveals that Joseph was a widower, as Emily had died. Alfred was aged 5 and the rest of the family consisted of Arthur 20, Ernest 18, Joseph 13, Clement 6, Florence 10, and Violet 8.
By 1901 the family had moved to 33 Upper Kennington Lane, and Joseph had remarried. Joseph and his new wife Sarah had three more children – Bertha 3, Leonard 2 and 1-month old Dorothy. Some of the other children had left home, but William, another brother who did not appear on the previous census was recorded on this census. Alfred aged 15, was now in work, and was employed as a Grocer’s Clerk.
1911 saw another change. Alfred was now living with his brother Clement and sister-in-law Florence at their house in 182 New Kent Road. Alfred was described as a boarder and was employed as a Draper’s Assistant.
Having enlisted in Wimbledon during the First World War, Alfred served initially with the East Surrey Regiment, and then with the 35th Batt, Machine Gun Corps, and had risen in the ranks to Lance Corporal. Alfred would most probably have seen action during the Battles of the Somme in 1916 and Battles of Arras in 1917.
The German Spring offensive was a series of German attacks along the Western Front which began on 21 March 1918, and is known as the First Battles of the Somme. The first phase was known as Operation Michael when the Germans began an enormous bombardment of the British lines which lasted for around five hours. Many lives were lost in the days that followed, and sadly Alfred was killed in action on 24 March. He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme and locally on the Mitcham War Memorial.
Alfred’s father Joseph received his son’s last pay of £4.17.10 plus the War Gratuity of £15.10. Alfred’s brother Clement had moved to 34 Cavendish Road, Colliers Wood by 1921, which explains why Alfred is remembered on the Mitcham War Memorial.