Document

Here are three letters sent to George Alderson’s widow, Ethel, after his death.

The first was printed in an unidentified local newspaper:

1915
HOW A BRAVE DUNSTON SOLDIER
LOST HIS LIFE

Mrs. Alderson of 10 Stephenson Street, Dunston, has received a letter from Captain Humphrey [Pumphrey], 10th Durham L.I., informing of her husband’s injury. She has now received word from the chaplain that her husband was dead when he arrived in hospital.

L-Corpl. Alderson leaves a wife and two children, one of whom has never seen him. Captain Humphrey [Pumphrey], in his letter says:-

Oct. 15, 1915

“Dear Mrs. Alderson, – I am sorry to tell you that your husband was injured last night by the accidental explosion of a bomb. I regret to say he has lost his right hand, besides being wounded in the leg. It happened like this: We came back from the trenches last night, and the bombs had to be moved when we came to camp. Your husband, with the sergeant and another corporal was doing the work, when one of the bombs fell and began to explode. Your husband, with great bravery and presence of mind, picked the bomb up, and tried to throw it out of the door. He was just too late, and it exploded in his hand; but his prompt action probably saved the lives of the other two men, who got off with comparatively slight wounds. We got your husband away on an ambulance almost at once. Lance-Corporal Alderson had been in charge of C Company bombers, for some weeks. I think very highly of him, and I’ve always found him very reliable. He had done particularly well in two trenches this time. This whole battalion, officers and men have much sympathy with you and him in your trouble”.


The second letter came from the War Office:

Infantry Record Office,
YORK. Station
26/10/1915

Dear Madam,

It is my painful duty to inform you that a report has this day been received from the War Office notifying the death of

(No.) 12231 (Rank) Lance Corporal

(Name) George Alderson (Regiment) 10th Battn.

DURHAM L.I. which occurred at Place unknown

In France on the 15th day

of October 1915, and I am to express to you the sympathy and regret of the Army
Council at your loss. The cause of death was :

Wounds received in Action (accidental)

If any articles of private property left by the deceased are found, they will be forwarded to this Office, but some time will probably elapse before their receipt, and when received they cannot be disposed of until authority is received from the War Office.

Application regarding the disposal of any such personal effects, or of any amount that may eventually be found to be due to the late soldier’s estate, should be addressed to “The Secretary, War Office, London, S.W.,” and marked outside “Effects”.

I am, Madam
Your obedient Servant,

Officer in charge of Records

Mrs. E.G. Alderson,
10 Stephenson St.
Dunston-on-Tyne.


The third letter came from Lance Corporal Thomas Scott, who was wounded in the same accident:

Queen E 1 Ward 38 Bed,
Graylingwell Military Hospital,
Chichester, Sussex.
23/11/15.

Dear Mrs. Alderson,

I must ask you to forgive me for not writing to you before now. I received your letter last Thursday. I’m afraid Albert Wilson made a mistake when he told you that George had left me a message to give to you. After we had been taken away to the dressing station we lay alongside each other all night and nearly all the time he talked of you and the kiddies, he knew he was going and said he was happy knowing he had done some good before he went and I can assure you his was a brave deed as brave a deed as ever won the V.C. He gave his life to save at least twenty, for it’s a certain fact we should all have been blown to bits had it not been for George, God bless him, I shall never forget that he saved my life and I only hope I shall have a chance to repay the great debt which I owe. He said to me that he had no pain. Then towards morning he seemed to wander a little for he kept saying “ I hope Ethel and my bonnie bairns hurry up and come” then he brightened up a bit, and we talked a good while about our time in the trenches. Then while we were in the Ambulance going to the clearing station, he smiled and said “I knew you would come Ethel” then he made motions as if he were kissing you and the kiddies and wished you Good Bye by name. Just before the end he turned quite conscious and wished me goodbye and made me promise to come and see you when I got home. He passed away peacefully just before we reached the clearing station and I lost one of the best pals I ever had, we had practically never been separated since we joined. Dad tells me about you visiting our house so they will have told you about my wounds. I am going on fine now and don’t think it will be very long before I am home, when I intend coming to see you then I can tell you more about George, I never could write a letter.

Kindest regards to you and the kiddies,

From Yours sincerely,
Thos. Scott.

Date: Oct - Nov 1915

Reference: D/DLI Acc: 7287 Box 4/20 (photocopies donated to DLI collection)

Where to find this: Durham County Record Office

Contributed by Durham County Record Office | Durham at War volunteer Eileen Surtees