Trafford

Born during the June quarter 1896 in the Barton upon Irwell R.D. - ref:
8c/694, the son of William & Sarah Kate Baumber (nee Clay).

1901 Census - Aspley Terrace, Flixton Road, Flixton.   Son - aged: 5 born:
Maer, Staffordshire.    Head of household - Wiiliam Baumber - Married -
aged: 30 - occ: Blacksmith - born: Helpringham, Lincolnshire.  Also - Sarah
K. Baumber - Wife - aged: 30 - born: Ashley, Staffordshire.    Plus 1 elder
brother (John William Baumber who was also killed during WW1).

1911 Census - 16 Birch Grove, Flixton.    Son - aged: 15 - occ: Errand Boy
- born: Maer Staffordshire.   Head of household - Wiiliam Baumber - Married
- aged: 40 - occ: Blacksmith - born: Helpringham, Lincolnshire.  Also -
Sarah K. Baumber - Wife - aged: 40 - occ: No 2 Code Occupation  born:
Ashley, Staffordshire.    Plus 4 siblings (including John William Baumber
who was also killed during WW1).

Flixton Parish Scroll states that he was with the 26th Reserve Bn. 
Recorded on the Urmston 'List'

I am most grateful to Neil Drum & Pete Thomas for allowing me to use
verbatim the following extract from their superb 623 page book "A District
at War - Irlam & Cadishead's Part in the Great War", an incredibly detailed
and comprehensive book that is not only a credit to them, but a magnificent
memorial to the WW1 men of that district.

Served with the 17th (Service) Battalion (2nd City), The Manchester
Regiment, 90th Brigade, 30th Division.

Alfred lived with his father, William, at the Smithy, Flixton Road, Flixton
and worked in Irlam as a soap stamper at the CWS Soap Works.    He was born
in Whitman, Staffordshire, and had two brothers: Charles and William, and a
sister, Elsie.    He was conscripted on 29th March 1916, aged 20, being
posted to the Manchester Regiment Depot the next day. On 31st March he was
posted to 'D' Company of the 26th (Reserve) Battalion. He disembarked in
France on 2nd July 1916 and joined 30th Infantry Base Depot three days
later. On 12th July he was posted to the 17th Battalion.

Alfred was posted missing on Monday, 23rd April 1917, during the Second
Battle of the Scarpe (Arras Offensive) and his death was officially assumed
to have occurred on, or since that date.    A letter to his father dated
July 1917 read: ?The officer in charge of Infantry records, Manchester
Regiment, regrets to have to inform you that no further information has yet
been received of No 34820 Private Alfred Baumber 17th Manchester Regt who
was reported missing 23.4.17.  He will be glad if you will return this
letter to him with a statement in the margin, as to whether you have
obtained any news of the soldier from any other source. If letters and
postcards have reached you since the date he was reported missing, the last
you have received should be enclosed. It will be returned to you. If you
have received from soldiers and others, reports that the soldier is dead,
or a Prisoner of War, you should give the names of the people who informed
you, and if they were soldiers, you should give their names, regimental
numbers, and regiments, and if they sent you letters, the letters should be
forwarded. Any letters you send will be returned to you in due course.?

His father noted in the margin of the report, which was returned to the War
Office, that he had not heard anything from his son since 29th March 1917
but that one of his son's pals had written to him.   He is commemorated the
Irlam and Cadishead panel of the CWS Memorial, Balloon Street, Manchester
(incorrectly listed as "A. Bamber?) and the War Memorial in St Michael's
Church, Church Road, Flixton.    He is not listed on the Irlam and
Cadishead War Memorial.     Medal Entitlement: Pair.

Flixton Parish Scroll states that he was with the 26th Reserve Bn.