ALFRED’S parents were Frederick Seymour, born in Harlow in 18481 and Mary Ann Cordell, born in Hereford in c.1850. They married in Ongar in the autumn of 18722. Alfred Edgar Seymour was born in Southwark, London in October 18843 and baptised in the parish of St Peter, Southwark on 12 October 1884.

The 1891 census shows Alfred residing at 6 Peabody Buildings in Southwark, London aged six. He was residing with his parents and brother Fred. Alfred’s father Frederick was working as a police sergeant while his brother, also called Fred was working as an iron founder’s labourer. The 1901 census shows Alfred residing at Avenue House, Latton, Harlow at the age of sixteen where he was working as an office boy. Alfred was living with his parents with Frederick now a retired policeman. The 1911 census shows Alfred still residing at Avenue House, in Potter Street, Harlow aged twenty-six where he was working as a rural postman. He was residing with his parents Frederick. Alfred married Ethel M Parish in June 1916 in Harlow5.

Private Alfred Edgar Seymour, 60322, enlisted in Harlow serving with the 11th Battalion of The Royal Fusilier’s (formerly 4578 of The 1st/7th Battalion of The Essex Regiment). On 17 February 1917 the battalion were in the front line near Berneuil in the Somme and attacked in the early hours of the morning. The attack went badly wrong, resulting in three officers and 42 other ranks being killed, including Alfred, aged 33. He is buried in The Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, France. Plot 7, row E, grave 15. Register Index Number Fr.314.

Alfred’s widow Ethel was residing with her father and mother in law at Calypso Terrace, Bury Road, Harlow at the time of his death.