Company Sergeant Major Alfred Henry Furlonger - DCM; AM

Alfred Henry was named after his father when he was born on 18 October 1886 in Wimbledon.
He was baptised in the Parish of Holy Trinity and St Peter, Wimbledon, on 30 January 1887. Alfred Snr was a plumber and the family, which included his wife Mary Jane (Nee Steel) and his daughter Frances, lived in Pelham Road.

By the 1901 census they had moved to 24 Palmeston Road, Wimbledon and 14 year old Alfred Jnr was an Office lad on the Railway. The family were still at this address at the 1911 census and Alfred Jnr was now a Goods Clerk for the Railway and later an engineer, possibly working in Chile. He returned to England in 1914.

Alfred joined the Royal Engineers and was appointed to the 29th Light Railway Operating Company. By 1917 he was an acting Sergeant and they were operating close to the Ypres Salient in Belgium.
That autumn, during the Third Battle of Ypres, Alfred was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for the follow action:
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in charge of trains evacuating the wounded from an aid post.
"The enemy shelled the line and cut it in seven places, preventing a train from reaching the aid post. He at once organised a party, and had the line repaired under heavy fire. When one of the trucks was hit by a shell he transferred the wounded on it to another truck, and got the train away to safety.
"He showed great courage and ability throughout the day." *

By 1918 he was an acting Company Sergeant Major.
The following particulars are given in "The London Gazette", No. 30,876, dated Friday, 30th Aug., 1918, of the acts for which the Albert Medal was awarded to C.S.M. A. H. Furlonger, D.C.M., Spr. J. C. Farren and Spr. G. E. Johnson, who are buried in this Cemetery, as well as to Lce. Cpl. J. E. Bigland and Spr. J. H. Woodman, all of the Royal Engineers :-
"In Flanders, on the 30th April, 1918, a train of ammunition had been placed at an ammunition refilling point, and after the engine had been detached, and was being run off the train, the second truck suddenly burst into flames. Furlonger immediately ordered Bigland, the driver, to move the engine back on to the train for the purpose of pulling away the two trucks nearest the engine. Bigland did so without hesitation, and the engine was coupled up by Furlonger, assisted by Farren, while the burning truck was uncoupled from the remainder of the train by Woodman. The two trucks were then drawn away clear of the ammunition dump, it being the intention to uncouple the burning wagon from the engine and the first wagon and so isolate it, with the object of localising the fire as far as possible. The uncoupling was about to be done when the ammunition exploded, completely wrecking the engine and both trucks, killing Furlonger, Farren and Johnson (a member of the train crew), and seriously wounding Bigland. Had it not been for the prompt and courageous action of these men, whereby three of them lost their lives and one was seriously injured, there is not the slightest doubt that the whole dump would have been destroyed and many lives lost".

His commanding officer wrote to his mother:-
"Dear Madam,
It is with deepest regret that I send the news of the death of your son, CSM A. H. Furlonger, DCM, which occurred on April 30th, 1918, while in the performance of his duty.
"The circumstances connected with the occurrence have called forth the admiration and appreciation of many officers, civilians, and others, who witnessed his courageous and gallant conduct, which undoubtably was the means of saving the lives of a large number, including women and children, and I wish to express to you my own admiration of his actions, and the Officers, warrant officer’s, N.C.O’s and men of this Company offer you their deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement.
"The funeral took place on May 1st, and your son was buried with full military honours, in a cemetery in Belgium.
"A cross will be erected on his grave, and I will see that every attention is given to it while I am in this district.
"He will be long remembered as one who made the utmost sacrifice for others while being unable to save himself. His actions are being brought to the notice of the highest authorities, and I hope you will receive some special recognition of his gallant actions.
"His personal belongings are being forwarded to the proper authorities, and you should receive them in due course.
"Again expressing my deepest sympathy with you, I remain,
Yours sincerely J.H. Spalding, Captain. Royal Engineers." *

Information from "For Evermore" website