Alfred John Edward Lansdell was born on 25th October 1882 in Fulham, London. The fourth of six children, his parents were James and Matilda Lansdell.

James was a trunk maker, working in his father’s business. By the time of the 1901 census, he was recorded as living by his own means, while Alfred had taken up employment as a hotel porter in Chelsea.

By 1902, Alfred had moved to Somerset and set up home in Bath. He married local woman Alice Stevenson, and the couple went on to have a daughter, Lena, who was born in November 1904.

The 1911 census found the family living in central Bath, Alfred continuing his portering work, with one of his colleagues, lift operator Thomas Ward, boarding with them.

War came to Europe and on 9th December 1915, Alfred stepped up to play his part. He enlisted in the Worcestershire Regiment, and was formally mobilised the following June. Alfred’s service records confirm that he was, at the time of his review, he was 35 years old and 5ft 6ins (1.67m) tall.

Private Lansdell was assigned to the 1st/7th Battalion and by October 1916, he was shipped to France. He was very much on the Front Line, and was wounded on 19th August 1917, while at Ypres. His casualty record notes that “while waiting in a shell hole for a further move on he was wounded… in the back”. He has been shot, and the bullet penetrated his kidney.

Initially treated in a hospital in France, Private Lansdell was transferred to England on 25th October. He was admitted to the Norfolk War Hospital and remained there for some time.

Alfred’s injuries were too severe for him to continue in the army, and he was formally discharged on 20th March 1918. He eventually returned home to Bath, but in the end his poor health was to get the better of him. He passed away at home on 28th September 1918, at the age of 35.

Alfred John Edward Lansdell was laid to rest in St James’ Cemetery, Bath. Alice lived on until 1961, when she was buried with her late husband, a couple reunited after more than four decades.

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