Main CPGW Record
Surname: ALDERSON
Forename(s): Ralph
Place of Birth: Hawes, Yorkshire
Service No: 24371
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Grenadier Guards
Battalion / Unit: 3rd Battalion
Division: Guards Division
Age: ---
Date of Death: 1918-03-27
Awards: M.M.
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Bay 1.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: GAYLE, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: HAWES, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Ralph Alderson was the son of Thomas and Jane Alderson, née Kirkbride. Both parents were born at Hawes, Yorkshire. Ralph was the cousin of Private William Mitton (24372) (q.v.).
1881 Gayle, Yorkshire Census: Beckstones - Ralph Alderson, aged 1 year, born Hawes, Yorkshire, son of Thomas and Jane Alderson.
1891 Gayle, Yorkshire Census: Beckstones - Ralph Alderson, aged 11 years, born Hawes, Yorkshire, son of Thomas and Jane Alderson.
1901 Gayle, Yorkshire Census: Ralph Alderson, aged 21 years, born Hawes, Yorkshire, son of Thomas and Jane Alderson.
1911 Gayle, Yorkshire Census: Marridale - Ralph Alderson, aged 31 years, born Hawes, Yorkshire, son of Thomas and Jane Alderson.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Ralph Alderson, 24371, G Gds.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Gdsn Ralph Alderson, 24371, 3 Gren Gds. [The award of the M.M. was inserted then crossed out.]
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Ralph Alderson (M.M.), 24371, 3 Bn Gren Gds. Date and Place of Death: 27.3.18 in action France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - Thomas. £19 9s. 9d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Ralph. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mr Thomas Alderson. Relationship: Father. Address: Fosshead, Gayle, Hawes, Yorks. Deceased: 3.2.24.
British Army Recipients of the Military Medal, 1914-1920: Private Ralph Alderson, 24371, 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards. Killed in action, 27 Mar 1918.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 28 January 1918: His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal far bravery in the Field to the undermentioned Non-Commissioned Officers and Men:— 24371 Pte R. Alderson, G. Gds. (Hawes).
A short biography of Ralph is included in: ‘Wensleydale Remembered – The Sacrifice made by the Families of a Northern Dale 1914-1918 and 1939-1945’ by Keith Taylor (2004).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
ALDERSON, Ralph, Grenadier Guards, Gayle, killed in action March 27, 1915.
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Private Ralph ALDERSON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Grenadier Guards
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: Guards Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
30 November 1917
HAWES - MILITARY MEDAL FOR A GAYLE SOLDIER
We are pleased to state that the Military Medal has been awarded to Private Ralph Alderson, Grenadier Guards, son of Mr. T. Alderson, Gayle, Hawes. Private Alderson, with soldier-like modesty, makes little of winning the medal and does not even say for what it has been conferred. He was the first to enlist from Gayle and he has been in France for over a year. We hope he may win through and live long to wear the distinction he has gained.
Wounded
News has been received by Mr. T. Alderson, Gayle, that his youngest son Fred, Lancashire Fusiliers, and brother to the Gayle Military Medallist, has been admitted to hospital seriously injured.
19 April 1918
Pte. Ralph Anderson, Gayle
We regret the death in action of Private Ralph Alderson, Grenadier Guards, second son of Mr. T. Alderson, Gayle, Hawes, who was killed in action on March 27th.
The sad news was conveyed in a letter from the Church of England Chaplain, received on Wednesday. He says:- "Private Alderson was a splendid fellow, and we were very fond of him. He had been with us so long and done such magnificent work that we all recognised him as a prince amongst stretcher-bearers. He was always there, so dependable, and so good; he never shirked his duty, but was always first to be on the spot helping people forward. He was killed carrying out his duty of helping the wounded under very heavy shellfire. He was buried by me on the field of battle with the service of the Church. I want you to feel in his death not the great sense of loss, but a sense of gain. He was so splendid that one feels sure that his sacrifice must have won for himself an eternal renown."
Private Alderson enlisted with a few other companions in November 1915, and was awarded the Military Medal last autumn for conspicuous bravery. He was a well-built young fellow, standing over 6 feet, and was for years one of the mainstays of the Hawes Football Club. He was well liked by all who knew him, and the greatest sympathy is felt for his father, brothers and sisters. His brother Fred is seriously wounded, and another brother is serving with the Red Cross.
10 May 1918
HAWES - Memorial Service
A memorial service for local soldiers fallen in the war during the past year was held in St. Margaret's Church on Sunday. The names of the soldiers honoured were Private C.H. Jones, Private N.B. Iveson, Pte. M[H]. Cockett, Private R.T. Metcalfe, Private R. Alderson and Gunner M. Calvert. The Hawes Volunteers and Cadets under Second-Lieutenant H.A. Crallen marched to the church. The choir and clergy were preceded to the chancel by Cadet Kenneth Wilson carrying the Union Jack (draped). A special form of service was used, and the hymns 'Rock of Ages,' 'Brief life is here our portion,' and 'On the Resurrection Morning' were sung. The vicar, the Rev. S.D. Crawford, gave an impressive address. The Dead march was played on the organ after the sermon by Mrs. Place, and the 'Last Post' sounded by Mr. J. Blades.
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