Private Charles Alderson
100381 31st Battalion Canadian Army
Killed in Action 25th September 1916, aged 34
Lived at the Cricketers Arms
Buried in the Sunken Road Cemetery France II B 2
St Peters Memorial, Burnley

Charlie Alderson was the son of Anthony Alderson and the husband of Ada M Alderson of 13305 Ryder Street, West Edmonton Alberta. He was born in Birstall in Yorkshire on 19th December 1882 and was brought up in Burnley and emigrated to Canada where he joined the Canadian Forces as Private 100381 in the 31st Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment).

“Two Brothers-in-Law. Another Burnley Canadian Killed."( Burnley Express 11/11/1916)

News has been received that Pte. Charlie Alderson of the Canadian Contingent has been killed in action on 25th September the very next day that his brother in law Pte. Charlie Blakey was killed. Pte. Alderson was born at Batley in Yorkshire and was brought whilst a lad to Burnley where he was brought up by his aunt in Yorkshire Street. Three years ago he and his wife emigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and then twelve months ago he joined the Canadian forces. Eight months later his regiment was sent over to England and after a short stay was drafted out to France. His many Pickup Croft football pals will be very sorry to hear of this sad loss, and sympathy goes out to his widow who is still in Canada with her father.

Pte. Alderson was very well known in Burnley having served his apprenticeship to plumbing with his uncle, the late Mr W. Scott of Yorkshire Street. Afterwards he started a business on his own account in Oxford Road. He was a regular attended at Pickup Croft Sunday School and played for that club when connected with the Sunday school league. He was also a member of the Burnley Football and Cricket clubs, and was very well respected by all the members, especially the bowling green section, he having taken part in their annual competitions. Pte. Alderson was a keen Conservative worker of over ten years standing, and was known and respected by all the officials and workers, particularly in St Paul’s ward, with which he was connected. He was especially keen in all the late Lieut. Arbuthnot’s elections and now shares that gallant gentleman’s fate by dying for his country. Mr Alderson married a daughter of Mr Nothard who up to three years ago was a Burnley Cab Proprietor. So sadly two of the latter’s daughters have lost their husbands in two days. Mrs Alderson sent word of her husband’s death to Mrs Alderson of the Cricketer’s Arms, Anne St.

Notes
In the Burnley Express Roll of Honour for November 1916 he was remembered by - his wife Ada M Alderson of North Edmonton, Alberta Canada and sister Rose of Cricketer’s Arms, Anne Street, Burnley
In memorium for Oct 6th 1917;- Mr Mrs Proctor and May.
Sept 25th 1918 Mrs Ashworth, Ben, Jim and Jack Cricketer’s Arms.

Wedding on 5/9/06 at St Peter’s Church. Charley Alderson, aged 24 bachelor, plumber of 53 Anne Street, son of Anthony Alderson(deceased) mason, married Ada Mary Nothard aged 26 spinster of 48 Lindsay Street daughter of George Nothard Cab Driver. Witnesses were William Sagar and Phoebe Alice Nothard. (Greenwood).

Charlie Alderson was also commemorated on the Pickup Croft Sunday School Memorial which was dedicated on 16th September 1922. Pickup Croft was a mission church of St Peter’s Parish and was also used as an Infant School.

His enrolment papers for the Canadian Forces show that he enlisted on 3rd July 1915. and that he was 5ft 7 ins tall and his girth was 37 ins.