ALFRED WILLIAM WOODS
Alfred’s portrait and profile will be displayed at a V.J. Day exhibition, “Be Ye Men of Valour“, from Saturday, 9th August to Monday, 25th August (Bank Holiday) 2025, at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich, IP4 2BT.
Alfred is not remembered on the war memorial at Christchurch Park.
Image from 1944 Evening Star
Born: 14th September 1912, at The Street, Barrow, Suffolk.
Died: 24th June 1944; age: 31; killed on active service when Minesweeper 8 hit a mine in the English Channel.
Residence: 50, Austin Street, Ipswich.
Occupation: Maltster’s Labourer.
Rank: Seaman; Service Number: LT/JX 221574.
Regiment: Royal Naval Patrol Services, H.M. Motor Minesweeper 8.
Memorial Reference:
Panel 14. Column 3.
Lowestoft,
Suffolk.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of John & Louisa Woods.
Father: John Woods, born 1876, Barrow – died 1919, of General Paralysis at St. Audry’s Hospital, Melton, Suffolk. A Farm Labourer.
Mother: Louisa Woods (nee Talbot), born 1886, Barrow, Suffolk – died 1923, Barrow.
Maternal Uncle: Ebenezer Talbot, born July 1878, Barrow, Suffolk.
Maternal Aunt: Elizabeth Talbot (nee Wells), born December 1877, Norwich, Norfolk.
CENSUS
1921 The Street, Barrow, Suffolk.
Alfred was 8 years and 9 months old. He attended School and lived with his widowed mother, siblings and stepsister.
Louisa Woods, 35 years & 3 months old, Home Duties.
Phyllis Eva May Woods, at School, born Barrow.
George Verdun Woods, at School, born Barrow.
Ivy Irene Woods, 7 months old, born Barrow.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939.
Alfred was a Maltster’s Labourer. He lived with his maternal uncle & aunt at their family home – 50, Austin Street, Ipswich.
Ebenezer Talbot, a Roadman – Corporation.
Elizabeth Talbot, unpaid Domestic Duties.
Alfred’s brother George was an Able Seaman during the Second World War. On the 3rd December 1940, whilst serving on H.M.S. ‘Firedrake’ George, an Able Seaman, was awarded the D.S.M. for bravery and resourcefulness on active service at sea and setting an example of bravery and resource under fire.
Alfred is also commemorated on the British Normandy Memorial, virtually opened by His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, on the 6th June 2021.
One Comment
This was my granddad’s cousin. As a child I remember his brother George being at my grandparents house. My 12 yr old son is learning about people who died in the war and I felt honoured to share our family history.