Pte 15493 Alfred Edgar Stott

• Age: 29
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• D.O.W Friday 23rd June 1916
• Commemorated at: Abbeville Cc
  Panel Ref: IV.B.10

ALFRED EDGAR STOTT - Private – 15493 – 17th Kings Liverpool - died 23/6/1916

Alfred Edgar was born in September 1886 the second of five children born to Alfred Stott and his wife Louisa Fanny (nee Holt) who were married in 1884 in the West Derby Registration district. His father, Alfred was born in Littleborough, a manager and later managing director of a firm manufacturing and dealing in window glass and leaded lights, his mother was born in Liverpool.

1891 Census - Raven Meols Lane, Formby - Parents and Alfred and Louisa with children Bernard, Alfred Edgar and Annie Muriel

1901 Census - Freshfield Road, Formby - Parents and children Bernard, Alfred Edgar, Annie Muriel, Beatrice Louisa and George Herbert and one servant.

1911 Census - 16 Lynwood Road, Rice Lane Walton - Parents with children Bernard, Alfred Edgar, Annie Muriel, Beatrice Louisa and George Herbert and one servant. Alfred Edgar was an Architectural student and his elder brother, Bernard was a joiner as well as the two sisters there was a younger son, George Herbert, a 17 years old articled analytical chemistry student.

Alfred Edgar enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool, joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15493.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 07^th November 1915.

He served in France until he died of wounds on 23rd June 1916, aged 29.

He now rests in Abbeville Communal Cemetery, Grave IV B 10 where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"FAITHFUL IN LIFE, FAITHFUL IN DEATH, IN JESU'S KEEPING"

For much of the First World War, Abbeville was headquarters of the Commonwealth lines of communication and No.3 BRCS, No.5 and No.2 Stationary Hospitals were stationed there variously from October 1914 to January 1920. The communal cemetery was used for burials from November 1914 to September 1916, the earliest being made among the French military graves. The extension was begun in September 1916. During the early part of the Second World War, Abbeville was a major operational aerodrome, but the town fell to the Germans at the end of May 1940. On 4 June, an attempt was made by the 51st Division, in conjunction with the French, to break the German bridgehead, but without success. Towards the end of 1943, eight large ski shaped buildings appeared near Abbeville. These proved to be storage units for flying bomb components an they were heavily bombed by Commonwealth air forces. Abbeville was retaken on 4 September 1944 by Canadian and Polish units. Abbeville Communal Cemetery contains 774 Commonwealth burials of First World War and 30 from the Second. 

Alfred earned all three medals. His death was reported in the Liverpool Daily Post 29/6/1916 and 30/6/1916

Stott – June 23 at Abbeville 2nd Stationery Hospital of a gunshot wound. Alfred Edgar Stott, Kings Liverpool Regiment – 2nd son of Alfred Stott, 16 Lynwood Road, Walton

Probate for Alfred Edgar of 16 Lynwood Road was to Louisa F Stott, wife of Alfred Stott for £466.11.9d.

Father Alfred died 1924 in his 69th year and mother Louisa died in 1938 in her 78th year. 

Alfred Edgar Stott is commemorated on Mersey Docks and Harbour Board memorial.

Alfred’s older brother, Bernard, served as Private 15456 and 16108, King’s Liverpool Regiment, serving in France from 7^th November 1915 and earning all 3 medals.

His younger brother George Herbert Stott also enlisted, as Private 113571 gving his age as 21 years 80 days and his occupation as chemist. While at Larkhill, George was transferred to the Royal Engineers, Chatham, working as a chemist with local chemical companies. On 26^th September 1915 he served with the BEF, reaching the rank of Sergeant.  On 21^st August 1918 he was wounded “O.S” and was admitted to 53 Field Ambulance, which in September 1918 was based near Beaulencourt, France, suffering from gunshot wounds to his neck near his right ear, the bullet exiting via his left shoulder. On 1^st October 1918, having been a patient in 2^nd Australian General Hospital in Boulogne, he was brought home to the UK. On 12^th December 1920, ie in Russia, a certificate of “Mention in Despatches” was awarded to 113571 G. H. Stott MM, although he was demobilized on 28^th January 1919. 

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