ALFRED HOUSDEN
Born: 1875, Wicken, Cambridgeshire.
Died: 5th June 1900; age; 25; Died of Wounds received on the 4th June 1900 at Pretoria,Gauteng, South Africa.
Residence: Duckett Farm, Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire.
Rank: Sergeant; Service Number: 3686.
Regiment: 8th Mounted Infantry, Suffolk Regiment, South Africa Field Force.
Clasps Awarded: Johannesburg, Cape Coloney & Orange Free State.
CENSUS
1881 Duckett Cottage, Wicken, Cambridgeshire.
Alfred was 7 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Samuel Housden, 33, an Agricultural Labourer, born Landbeach, Cambridgeshire.
Eliza Housden (nee Sadler), 34, born Stretham, Cambridgeshire.
Emily Housden, 13, born Landbeach.
Fred Housden, 11, born Cottenham, Cambridgeshire.
Walter Housden, 9, born Cottenham.
Anne Housen, 5, born Wicken.
Ada Housden, 2, born Wicken.
Clement Housden, 6 months, born Wicken.
1891 Duckett Cottage, Wicken, Cambridgeshire.
Alfred was 16 years old, an Agricultural Labourer. He was living with his parents & siblings.
Samuel, 42, an Agricultural Labourer.
Eliza, 40.
Walter, 18, an Agricultural Labourer.
Ada, 12.
Clement, 10.
Ezra Samuel Housden, 8, born Wicken.
Laura Housden, 6, born Wicken.
Elvina Kate Housden, 2, born Wicken.
Henry John Housden, 10 months, born Wicken – died 1894, Wicken.
One of the notable Battles with a large loss of Suffolk life was the “Battle of Suffolk hill” at Colesberg, Northern Cape 5th- 6th January 1900. The hill was originally called Red or Grassy Hill. The Suffolk regiment was ordered to make a night attack on a Boer position on the heights, four companies, 354 of all ranks, set out at midnight under the command of Col. Watson. The Suffolks were met by a storm of bullets. The Colonel was amongst the first to fall, and the party later retired with 11 officers and 150+ men killed, wounded or captured.
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