Trafford

Born: 1877.  No trace BMD's.    Alfred was the brother of William Edward
Oxley (Albert's father)   Albert, his nephew, was also killed in action.

1881 Census - 8 Albert Street, Altrincham.   Grandson - aged: 4 - Scholar -
born: Altrincham.   Head of household - John Oxley - Married - aged: 63 -
Gardener - Domestic Servant - born: Gainsborough, Yorkshire.  Also Mary Ann
Oxley - Wife - aged: 56 - born: Shropshire.  Plus their son - Robert
(Alfred's uncle) and Alfred's brother - William Edward Oxley.

1891 Census - 2 Chapel Street, Altrincham.    'Son' - aged: 14 - born:
Manchester.   Head of household - Mary Oxley - Widow - aged: 66 - born:
Shrewsbury, Shropshire.   Mary was actually, his Grandmother.  Plus his
uncle Robert again and his brother - William Edward Oxley.

WO363 - Enlisted at Manchester into the Royal Lancaster Rgt on the 27th
November 1894 - No.4614.  Aged: 19 years, 10 months and employed as a
Labourer.  He had previously served in the 3rd battalion, Cheshire Rgt and
was still serving in the Militia.   He was 5 feet 4 7/8th inches in height;
he weighed 131 lb; his chest measurements were 33 1/2 inches expanded to 35
1/2 inches.   He had a fresh complexion, brown eyes, dark brown hair and
his religion was Church of England.

Home -             27/11/1894 to 24/09/1895.
Malta -             25/09/1895 to 24/11/1897.
Hong Kong -    25/11/1897 to 16/01/1899.
Singapore -     17/01/1899 to 26/03/1900.
Home -            27/03/1900 to 25/10/1900.

Having completed 5 years 333 days service, he was discharged from the Army
at Aldershot on the 25th October 1900, having been found to be medically
unfit for further service.  His place of residence was to be No. 2 Chapel
Street, Altrincham.  His brother - William Edward Oxley was residing at No.
9 Chapel Street.

1901 Census - 7 Chapel Street, Altrincham. (Lodging House).   Lodger -
aged: 24 - occ: Railway Porter - born: Altrincham.  One of 17 Lodgers
residing here.

Married - Mary Frances De Courcy during the June quarter 1901 in the
Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/403.

1911 Census - 20 Chapel Street, Altrincham.   Head of household - Married -
aged: 32 - General Labourer - born: Altrincham.    Wife - Mary Frances -
aged: 31 - Lodging House Keeper - born: Altrincham.   Plus 6 children and 2
lodgers.

An Alfred Oxley is listed in the street directories as living at Nos. 20,
22 & 24 as a lodging house keeper.    He was the son-in-law of Mrs
DeCourcy, also of Chapel St.

The 14/04/1916 edition of the local newspaper reports that he is now dead. 
It also reports that he was an old soldier and enlisted on the 19/01/1915
and was at the front a few weeks later.  His MIC states that he was drafted
to France on the 23rd February 1915.

Moved to billets near Boeschepe on 02/04/1915.   To Ypres on 08/04 and took
over trenches in front of Zonnebeke on 12/04/1915.  Relieved during the
night of 16/04/1915 and moved back to Ypres (there were 22 casualties among
'C' Coy while marching through Ypres).  To billets on the
Vlamertinghe-Poperinghe Road on 17/04/1915 and back into the trenches again
at Zonnebeke on 20/04/1915.   Heavy German shelling on several occasions,
whilst in these trenches, so much so, that a general withdrawal was ordered
on 03/05. (casualties between 26/04/1915 & 04/05/1915 - 172 killed or
wounded).  Took over trenches in front of Frezenberg on 04/05/1915.   At
07.00 hrs on 08/05/1915 the British trenches were blown in by shell fire,
with the Germans subsequently advancing and and capturing the British front
line.  (nearly 1,000 casualties)   Ordered to retire to Potijze at 11.35
hrs. Survivors moved back to huts west of Ypres on 09/05/1915.

The local newspaper reported that he and Private J. Jenkinson, both of 'A'
Coy, had been missing since 08/05/1915.   Killed by a shell explosion, he
left a widow and seven children.

See also "The Bravest Little Street in England" by Karen Cliff, Trafford
Local Studies Library.