ALFRED WILLIAM BENJAMIN HEARN

Alfred is not remembered on the war memorial at Christchurch Park.

Born: 1901, Ipswich.

Died: 25th/26th January 1942; age 41; died of wounds at the Alexandra Military Hospital, in Singapore.

Previously reported Missing.

Residence: 12, Preston Road, Alexandra Barracks, Singapore and family home – Surrey.

Rank: Warrant Officer II (Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant); Service Number: 3847069./

Regiment: The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

The body was originally buried at Bidadari Christian Cemetery, in Singapore. On the 27th May 1957, the remains were reburied at Kranji War Cemetery.

Grave Reference:

36.C.1.

Kranji War Cemetery,

Kranji,

Singapore.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Harry & Sarah Ann Hearn; husband of Winifred Bertha Jane Hearn, of Redhill, Surrey.

Nephew to WILLIAM HEARN.

CENSUS

1901   4, Star Lane, Ipswich.

Alfred was 1 month old and living with his parents & sisters.

Henry Hearn, 32, a Floor man – Maltings, born Coddenham, Suffolk.

Sarah Ann Hearn (nee Rogers), 30, born Stourton Caundle, Dorsetshire.

Laura Lily Ann Hearn, 9, born Coddenham.

Violet Beatrice Lily Hearn, 6, born Coddenham.

Daisy Amelia Hearn, 4, born Coddenham.

1911   57, Victoria Street, Ipswich.

Alfred was 11 years old and living with his father & siblings.

Henry, 42, a Malting’s Labourer.

Edward George Hearn, 8, born Ipswich.

Winifred May Hearn, 6, born Ipswich.

Frederick James Hearn, 2, born Ipswich.

1 Housekeeper and her 2 children.

On the 1911 census, Alfred’s mother, Sarah, 40, worked as an Assistant Nurse at The Workhouse, Barham – Guardians of the Bosmere & Claydon Union.

1921   22, High Street, Newton Heath, Manchester, Lancashire.

Alfred was 20 years and 2 months old. He was a Soldier ranked Private/Bandsman for H. M. Army, at the Royal Citadel, Plymouth. Alfred was the visitor of Charles Edward Temperley and Alice Temperley (nee Parkin) and their family.

Alfred’s father, Henry Hearn died October 1911 at Samford, Suffolk.

Suffolk and Essex Free Press – Wednesday, 25^th October 1911 – About seven o’clock on the evening of Monday, 23^rd October, a man named Henery Hearn, stated to reside at Victoria Street, Ipswich, was knocked down by a train near Sproughton and killed. The deceased, who is reported to be a man with a family, was a maltster at Mortimer’s Malting Works, Sproughton, but it is not known how he came to be on the line. Dr. Vincent was called, whilst Sergeant Chinery and Police-constable E. Folkard were present. The body was conveyed to the Wild Man Inn.

On the 17th March 1928, 26 year old, Alfred, a Soldier at Milton Barracks, Gravesend, married 26 year old, Winifred Bertha Jane Gray, a Housekeeper, at 23, Lesbourne Road, Reigate, Surrey. Winifred was born November 1901, Reigate and was baptised at St. Philip Church, Reigate, Surrey – address 3, Gas Works Road, Reigate.

Winifred and Alfred had one daughter.

In January 1942, 40 year old Winifred Hearn and 10 year old Peral Hearn were evacuated from Singapore to Australia. They embarked in Singapore on the S.S. “Narkunda” of the P.&O.S.N. Co. and disembarked at the Port of Fremantle, Western Australia.

In 1947, 45 year old Winifred Hearn and 15 year old Pearl Hearn, embarked on the ocean liner “Asturias” of Royal Mail Lines Ltd., at the Port of Fremantle, Western Australia. They sailed A-Class to England, disembarking at the Port of Southampton on the 26th April 1947. They intended to make England their home and proposed to reside at 177, Garlands Road, Surrey.

Probate to Winifred Bertha Jane Hearn – widow.

Alfred is commemorated in the Book of Honour of the Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) at Preston Minster, Church Street, Preston.

2nd Battalion:
1939: On the outbreak of war the Battalion was based in Singapore as part of Singapore Fortress’s Malaya Brigade.
15th February 1942: It was captured by the Japanese at Singapore and the survivors became prisoners for the rest of the war.