Pte 51721 Alfred Archibald Speet

• Age: 32
• From: Wavertree, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Saturday 28th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Warlincourt Halte Brit Cem
  Panel Ref: IX.D.7

Alfred Archibald was born in Liverpool on 25th August 1884 the only son of Thomas Speet and his wife Clara Anna (nee Archibald). His parents married on 09th October 1882 at Braddon, Isle of Man. Their wedding was reported in the local press:

Manx Sun, Saturday, October 21, 1882

MARRIAGES. On Wednesday, October 11th. at St George's, by special licence. Thomas, second son of Thomas Speet, of Albert-park, Liverpool, to Clara Anna, eldest daughter of the late George Archibald, of this town.

Alfred was baptised on 19th November 1884 at St Philemon's Church, Toxteth. His father's occupation is shown as a Butcher. 

The 1891 Census shows the family are living at 449 Mill Street, Toxteth. His father Thomas is missing from the record, but his wife Clara is head of the household, she is married, aged 29, born Douglas, Isle of Man. Alfred A. is aged 6 b.Liverpool, and his sister Ethel J. is aged 6 b.Liverpool.

For a considerable time the electoral roll has "Thomas Speet the younger" living at 176 Mill St, Toxteth, a butchers shop, this may explain his absence from the family census.

Florence Edith their third child was born in 1887, but sadly died in infancy in the December quarter of 1888.

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 13 Jacob Street, Toxteth. Clara is head of the household though states that she is married. She was born in Douglas, Isle of Man. Alf now 16 is shown as a Clerk in the Salt Union. His sister, Ethel is also in the household. 

His sister Ethel died aged 19 in the June quarter of 1905.

By 1911 the family are now living at 97 Barrington Road, Wavertree. There is only Clara and Alfred in the home, though Clara again advises she is married. (28 years with 3 children, 2 still alive). Alf now 26 is shown to be employed as a Clerk. 

Another 1911 Census sees father Thomas aged 62 living at 14 Foundry Street, Earlestown. He states that he has been married for 28 years and has had three children, two of whom ahve survived.

Alf enlisted in Liverpool as Rifleman 4164 joining the 6th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Rifles). He embarked from Folkestone-Boulogne on 27th July 1916, reaching the 24th Infantry Base Depot on 29th July 1916. He proceeded to 17th Battalion K.L.R. on 06th August and was posted from 05th August 1916 to the 20th Battalion K.L.R. as Private 51721.

He died of wounds at 43 CCS on 28th April 1917, aged 32.

He now rests at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery in France.

The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from other smaller cemeteries.

The cemetery now contains 1,266 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 29 German and two French war graves.

The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 07th May 1917:

SPEET - April 28, died of wounds received in action in his 33rd year, Rifleman Alfred Archibald Speet K.L.R., the devoted and dearly-loved son of Mrs Speet, 97 Barrington Road, Wavertree.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to mother Clara A. 

Probate 1917 to Clara Ann Speet (wife of Thomas Speet).

Alfred is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 42

St Bridget's Church in Wavertree.

His father died in the September quarter of 1932, aged 85, the electoral roll had him listed at The Turner Memorial Home, Dingle Lane.

His mother died in the March quarter of 1933 aged 73.

Grateful thanks are extended to Kevin Shannon the author of the book The Liverpool Rifles for providing details of Alfred's service with the 6th Rifles.  

We currently have no further information on Alfred Archibald Speet, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.