Corporal Frederick Booker
4th Battalion, South Staffordshire
Regiment
03/10/1914
Son of Isaac and Ann Booker, of Walsall. Husband of
Sarah Booker, of 103, Old Birehills, Walsall, Staffs.
Died aged
30 years.
Although christened ‘Alfred Booker’ he served
in the Army under the name of ‘Frederick Booker’.
Alfred was the son of Isaac and Ann (nee Smith) Booker
of Reedswood Cottages, Walsall, his father being a lock
smith.
He was married to Sarah Watton at Walsall
in mid 1910 and resided at 14, Checkett Street, Walsall
with her and their daughter, Lilian Irene, born in December
1910.
A metal dresser by trade, prior to Alfred rejoining
the Army he was employed by Eglingtons Limited of Bridgeman
Street, Walsall.
Having served in the Volunteers and then the 4th Special
Reserve Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment in 1909,
Alfred was called up on reserve and was posted to Jersey
for training. Whilst in camp at Jersey he rose from
his sleep and then almost immediately fell back and
died. At the subsequent inquest a verdict of “death
from natural
causes” was returned.
Alfred was buried in Jersey’s Almorah
Cemetery, St. Helier in Grave 5.21.T on Wednesday 7
October 1914 with full military honours, his coffin
being borne to the cemetery on a gun carriage. He was
30 years of age. Post war addresses of 103, Old Birchills,
Walsall and Botany Cottage, Bell Lane, Birmingham Road,
Walsall are recorded for Sarah and her daughter. Christened
Alfred in Walsall in 1884, he is shown on the 1891 census
return as Isaac, on the 1901 as Isaac Alfred and on
the 1911 as Alfred Isaac. He married in the name of
Isaac Alfred. Serving as Frederick, this is the name
commemorated on his headstone and on the Walsall roll
of honour.
