Alfred Osborn Hopwood Litherland

[Novabird41]

Alfred was born in Leeds in 1877, baptised in Stepney. He attended St Swithins Industrial School Winchester for a while and married Annie Delaney in 1891.Their son Leo was born in 1901 in Leeds. In 1905 the family emigrated to Canada (York County Toronto). In 1916 he joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force 116 Btn Of the Canadian Infantry. His last letter to his wife was dated July 21st he wrote "I am going in the advance with the best heart possible tomorrow will be a great day for our battalion. I guess a few of us will shake tomorrow. It will soon be all over whichever way it looks to be. Don't take this letter too seriously everybody doesn't get killed or injured, so you see I'vr the same chance as everyone else." Two days later he was reported missing in action and presumed dad in the trenches, southwest of Avion, France on 23 July 1917. He was 40 years old. Memorial at Vimy, France. He left a wife and four children, his baby girl had been born since he went overseas and she received a photo from her daddy, be she never got to meet him.

[Merry]

Alfred was born in Leeds in 1877

A very sad story, Novabird41.

Just for your records, I don't think Alfred was born in Leeds; the 1881, 1891 and 1901 censuses all have him born in London (the 1881 census says Stepney) and this is his birth registration:


Alfred Osborn H Litherland
1877 Jan-Feb-Mar
Mile End Old Town London (Mile End is a parish in the Stepney area)
Volume: 1c
Page: 634

married Annie Delaney in 1891

They married in the first three months of 1900:


Marriages Mar 1900
Delaney Annie Leeds 9b 617
Litherland Alfred Leeds 9b 617

[James18]

A very sad but lovely story. Thanks for sharing.