8324 Pte Alfred James Mabbutt, 2nd Bn, Northamptonshire

8324 Private Alfred James Mabbutt of the 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, was killed in action on the 12th December 1914. He was 29 years old, the son of Josiah and Elizabeth Mabbutt of St. Andrew's Lane, Titchmarsh, Thrapston, in Northamptonshire. Alfred was born in Moulton and enlisted in Northampton. He was serving with A Company at the time of his death.

Alfred joined the Northamptonshire Regiment between 28th December 1906 and the 1st January 1907. This means that unless he'd extended his service with the Colours, he would have been on the Reserve when war was declared; a seasoned campaigner with seven years of soldiering under his belt. In all probability though, Alfred was probably overseas with the regiment, waiting to come home. The 2nd Battalion was in Mustapha Barracks in Alexandria, Egypt and did not sail for England until the beginning of October, arriving at Liverpool on the 16th.

The bulk of the battalion sailed for France on the 4th November, arriving at Havre the following day. Alfred though, arrived on the 6th November. December appears to have been a fairly quiet month for the 2nd Northants but two Northants Regiment men died on this day in 1914, although Alfred was the only man to be killed in action and die overseas. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial in France.

Alfred came from a large family and the surviving members must have felt his loss. The 1901 census shows them living at Manor Farm Cottage in Horton St Mary, Northants. Josiah, a 47 year old waggoner, headed the family with his wife, Elizabeth, aged 37. Their children, in age order, are recorded as Alfred (aged 15), Albert (aged 12), Harry (aged nine), Sarah (aged seven), Frank (aged five), Florence (aged three) and Arthur (aged one). Alfred is noted as an assistant waggoner.

There were also two other half brothers who must have left home by the time the 1901 census was taken. They appear on the 1891 census as John G Mabbutt (aged 15) and Charles E Mabbutt (aged 14).

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC, 1891 & 1901 census returns)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Soldiers Died in The Great War