Alfred Ticehurst is probably the Alfred Ticehurst born at Plumpton in 1895 whose birth was registered at Lewes in the September quarter of that year.

 

He appears on the 1901 census living at Frenches Farm in the civil parish of Heathfield (part of the rural district of Hailsham, East Sussex).  Family members recorded are: James F Ticehurst, a 43 year old farrier and head of the family, and his wife Elizabeth aged 45.  The couple had four children living with them when the census was taken: Frederick A Ticehurst (aged 18 and working as a baker), Dorothy Ticehurst (aged ten), William Ticehurst (aged eight) and Alfred (aged five).

 

Chailey Parish Magazine notes in March 1915 that Alfred Ticehurst is serving his King and Country.  In October 1915 it notes that he is a driver with the ASC in France.  By December 1917 however, he is recorded as Rifleman A Ticehurst, serving with the 2/5th London Regiment and this is the information which is then repeated monthly up to and including the final entry in July 1919.

 

The National Archives’ on-line medal index card notes the following:

 

Ticehurst, Alfred

 

Army Service Corps, T1/4145, Driver

London Regiment, TF/575810, Driver

London Regiment, B/201564, Driver

 

The 2/5th City of London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) formed part of the 174th Brigade in the 58th Division and landed in France on 25th January 1917.  It was disbanded in February 1919 so Alfred Ticehurst must have transferred to another battalion when this happened.

 

 

Sources & Acknowledgements:

 

• 1901 Census of England & Wales
• Chailey Parish Magazine
• The National Archives: Medal Index Card