Dawlish World War One Project

Alfred was the son of Daniel and Rose Mould and was born in Burton-on -Trent. His life appears to have been disrupted by the health of his parents.

In 1901, Rose Mould, wife of a chimney sweep, is a patient at the District County Lunatic Asylum, Burntwood, Staffs, but there is no census entry for her husband, Daniel.

At this time Daniel's older brother, Edward J Mould is married to Ellen and they live at 26 Church Street, Longton, Staffs, with a nephew Alfred Mould, aged 8.

Alfred, has a Royal Naval Reserve record deposited with the National Archives at Kew that shows he signed on as a merchant seaman in April 1912 in Liverpool.

Alfred Mould was an able seaman in the merchant marine, sailing in ships such as the 'Lusitania' and 'Empress of Britain' between Liverpool and North American ports over the next two years. His RNR service number is 4291 A.

He married Margaret Doyle in Birkenhead in Q4, 1912, when he may have been living at 30 Russell Street, Liverpool.

The 'Western Times' of Monday 19^th October reported:

“On Saturday, Alfred Mould, a Royal Naval Reserve man, an Able Seaman stationed at Devonport, fell out of a Great Western train near Black Bridge, Dawlish. He was picked up and conveyed by P.C.Shapland and a party of railway men to the Dawlish Cottage Hospital, where he was attended by D.Cunliffe. He is in a very critical condition and is not expected to recover.”

The funeral was reported, again by the Western Times, on Friday 23^rd October.

“The funeral took place yesterday morning. The coffin, covered with the Union Jack, was carried out of the Cottage Hospital and placed in the hearse by a bearer party from the R.A.M.C.

The principal mourners were a brother and sister-in-law of deceased. “

“Among the floral tributes was one which bore the following, “With deepest sympathy from the G.W.R. Staff, Dawlish Station.”