Lance/Corporal Richard Alfred Alderson
47530 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers
Died of Wounds 25th March 1918, aged 19
Lived at 144 Abel Street
Buried in Ayette British Cemetery France A5
Commemorated on St.Andrews Memorial, Burnley
Burnley Express 8th June 1918

Born & enlisted Burnley.
Son of Mr & Mrs William Alderson of 144 Abel Street, Burnley.

By 4am on the 25th March 1918 the 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers had occupied a defensive position covering the east of Sapignies (France) and the east and north of Behagnies. Soon events developed and the 1/5th helped to drive the enemy back. The Germans put down a heavy barrage on the whole ground occupied by the Battalion. During the day the Germans were able to outflank the Battalion under a screen of gas and smoke. The 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers were driven back with the loss of 31 men.

SCOUT AND CHOIR BOY Optimistic Soldier (Burnley Express 08/06/18)

An unofficial report stated that Lance Corporal Richard A Alderson, 47530, Lancashire Fusiliers, had been taken prisoner, and a companion who had been home on leave recently told his mother, Mrs Alderson, 144 Abel Street, that they had been together some time, and when he left he was well and hearty but, unfortunately, official news came to hand last week that the soldier had died from wounds sustained in action on March 25th. The last letter received from the soldier, dated March 20th, arrived a week later. He was 19 years of age, and a fine lad. Joining up in February last year, he went overseas in October (1917). A weaver, he was employed at Grey’s Livingstone Mill. Following his father’s example, he was attached to the Independent Methodist Chapel, Robinson Street, where his father was fully thirty years a school superintendent and local preacher. The young soldier was in the choir, he was also in the Boy Scouts, and had been a worker in the Band of Hope.
Two brothers of the deceased are serving their country, one being in France and the other in Italy. Corporal John William Alderson is in the Lewis Gun Section of the East Lancashire Regiment, and has been twice wounded and gassed. He is now back in Plymouth getting ready to go out again. In writing home in optimistic terms, he tells his mother not to worry, as all will come right. There was no need to get downhearted. People ought to be thankful the Germans were not over here. Bombardier Joseph Alderson, Royal Garrison Artillery, is in the Wireless Section in Italy. A brother-in-law is serving in Ireland.
Much sympathy will be extended to Mrs Alderson, who lost her husband recently, making with her son, the third death in the family in 18 months.