Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Thiepval Memorial, Picardie | Pier and Face 6 A and 6 B. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.123 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 21B GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Family :
Alfred was a Grocer from Walworth, in the immediate pre-war period. He was born circa 1886, son of George and Emily Gould of West Farm Barnham, Thetford Norfolk.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 3/10th Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) |
| Action : The Battles of the Somme 1916 |
The Battle of the Somme 1st July - 18th November 1916 is inevitably characterised by the appalling casualties (60,000) on the first day, July 1st 1916. Having failed to break through the German lines in force, and also failed to maximise opportunities where success was achieved, the battle became a series of attritional assaults on well defended defence in depth. The battle continued officially until 18th November 1916 costing almost 500,000 British casualties. German casualties were about the same, and French about 200,000. The Somme could not be counted a success in terms of ground gained or the cost, but it had a strategic impact as it marked the start of the decline of the German Army. Never again would it be as effective whilst the British Army, learning from its experience eventually grew stronger to become a war winning army. The German High Command recognised that it could never again fight another Somme, a view that advanced the decision to invoke unrestricted submarine warfare in an attempt to starve Britain of food and material, and in doing so accelerated the United States declaration of war thus guaranteeing the eventual outcome. 287 Brethren were killed on the Somme in 1916.
Detail :
Enlisted at Southwark on the 9th November 1915. 293254 Private Albert Herbert George Gould, 3/10th Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment. Served at Home from 8th February to 30th May 1917 and then embarked for the British Expeditionary Force 31st May to 25th June 1917. Died of wounds at 19th Casualty Clearing Station, 25th June 1917 from gun shot wound to the abdomen received on the same day.
The probate record shows "GOULD Alfred Herbert George of 39 Bagshot-street Walworth Surrey private Middlesex regiment died 25 June 1917 in France Administration (with Will) London 19 October to Rose Caroline Gould widow. Effects £829 2s. 8d.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Blackheath No. 1320 E.C. | London |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
10th December 1914 | 18th February 1915 | 15th April 1915 |
Register at the United Grand Lodge of England shows "Killed in Action Jan/1917". This is at odds with the Probate and other military records, which show 25th June 1917 (and which may have led to a different soldier to be identified). This record is therefore now verified and corrected.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley