Pte 22677 Alfred Dutton

• Age: 33
• From: Runcorn, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 20th October 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Alfred Dutton was born in the third quarter of 1883 in Runcorn and was baptised on the 18^th November, 1883 at All Saints Church, Runcorn. He was the son of John Dutton and his wife Elizabeth (nee Bazley). 

The 1891 Census finds the family living at Norton Street, Runcorn. Alfred is 7 years of age and is living with his parents and four siblings. His father, John, is a 46 year old chemical labourer born in Runcorn, whilst his mother is 44 years of age and also born in Runcorn as were all of their children. Alfred's siblings are listed as: Joseph 22 and Daniel 20 are both chemical labourers, John 17 is a farm labourer and Eleanor is 11 and at school.

The 1901 Census shows the family address as 24 Norton Street. Alfred is 17 and described as a general labourer. He lives with his widowed father, now aged 56 and a general labourer. Alfred's siblings are listed as: Joseph William 32 and Daniel 30 both general labourers, and Eleanor Jane 21.   

The 1911 Census shows Alfred living with his brother’s family, his father and brother Daniel at 24 Norton St, Runcorn. His elder brother John (Junior) is aged 37, born 1874 and is a tanner’s labourer. His wife Charlotte is aged 30, born 1881 in Runcorn and they had been married for 10 years. They had two children of which one had sadly died. His son John was aged 9 born 1902. His father John (Senior) is a widower aged 66, a retired Chemical Labourer, and his two brothers Daniel aged 40, born 1871 a tanner’s labourer and Alfred aged 27, a general labourer.

He enlisted in Liverpool on 10th November 1914 joining in the 20th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 22676. He declared his age as 31 years and 6 months and his occupation as a checker. He was described as being 5' 4 and a half" inches tall, and weighed 119lbs. He advised that his parents were deceased and declared that he had three brothers and one sister. He also stated that he had previously served with 5th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment. 

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th 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 7^th November 1915.

Whilst at Larkhill Camp he was appointed paid Lance Corporal on 20th October 1915. He reverted to the rank of Private at his own request on 22nd Febraury 1916 in France. 

Alfred was killed in action on the 20th October 1916 aged 33 during the Battle of the Transloy Ridges which was part of the ongoing Somme Offensive.

He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Misisng of the Somme in France.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

His death was reported in the Runcorn Guardian on 19th November 1916

PRIVATE ALFRED DUTTON

Another Runcorn soldier has given his life for his country in Private Alfred Dutton, who lived with his brother, Mr J. Dutton at 24 Norton Street, Runcorn. Unofficial news was received of his death a fortnight ago, but this lacked confirmation until the receipt of a letter from the Chaplain to the Regiment. Private Dutton, who was an old Volunteer, joined the army in the early days of the war and went to the front in October of last year. He was 33 years of age, and before joining up was employed at the Alum Works. The manager of which (Mr A. A. Robertson) writes:- "I desire to express to you on behalf of the employees and myself our sincere sympathy in the loss you have sustained by the death of your brother-in-law, Alfred Dutton, who has given his life for the service of his country. Whilst in our employment he proved himself a steady, reliable worker of a kindly and considerate nature, and his loss comes as a personal one to all of us who came in daily contact with him. He attended the St Luke's Mission in Mason Street where a memorial service was held on Sunday night. Private Dutton was also an enthusiastic horticulturist, and took great pride in his garden and greenhouse, often referring to them in his letters and to his plans on his return.

Another report in the local press showed:

ALUM WORKS EMPLOYEE KILLED

Another Runcorn "Pal" has given his life for his country in the person of Private Alfred Dutton, who resided with his brother Mr. J Dutton at 24 Norton-street, Runcorn. Unofficial news of his death was received a fortnight ago, but this lacked confirmation until the receipt of a letter from the chaplain to the regiment, who writes - "You will have heard by now that your brother in the - King's was killed in action last week. As chaplain to the regiment, and knowing your brother well, I just want to say how deeply I sympathise with you in your loss. I am sure it will help you to know that he made his communion only two days before we went into action. Will you try to remember that he died the noblest death a man can die, fighting for his country and the right, and that it is only his body that lies here in France, while his soul, the real self you know and love, has gone back to God, who loved him too. May Jesus Christ, who died for you and knows what pain and sorrow mean, comfort you in your hour of sorrow"

Private Dutton who was an old volunteer, joined the Liverpool "Pals" in the early days of the war and went out to France in October of last year. He was 33 years of age, and before joining up was employed at the Alum Works, the manager of which (Mr A. A. Robertson) writes to Mrs Dutton:- "I desire to express to you on behalf of the employees and myself our sincere sympathy in the loss you have sustained by the death of your brother-in-law, Alfred Dutton, who has given his life for the service of his country. Whilst in our employment he proved himself a steady, reliable worker of a kindly and considerate nature, and his loss comes as a personal one to all of us who came in daily contact with him.  He attended the St Luke's Mission in Mason Street where a memorial service was held on Sunday night. Private Dutton was also an enthusiastic horticulturist, and took great pride in his garden and greenhouse, often referring to them in his letters and to his plans on his return.      

CWGC state his age as 32 but birth and baptismal records show that he was 33. 

Soldiers Effects to nephew John James Gayter (guardian of niece Pat), Pension to mother Elizabeth

Grateful thanks are extended to Joe Devereux for his permission to use the photograph now shon on this site.

We currently have no further information on Alfred Dutton, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.