Category: Military
Rank: Private
Regiment or Ship: 20th Bn London Regiment; Royal West Kent Regiment
Service Number(s): G/38789
Occupation: School Teacher
Date of Birth: 1900
Place of Birth: West Hoathly, Sussex
Date of Death: 08.04.1926
Place of Death: Royal East Sussex Hospital, Hastings.
Address: Sidley School House, Sidley, Sussex
Photos and newspaper articles
Click on any image to see a larger version
Family Information
Parents: John Kimber (1862-1923) and Frances Kimber, nee Cowley Britton, (1872-1937). John was a gardener by trade and Frances was Head Teacher. Alfred was baptised on 15th June 1900.
Siblings: Nancy, born 1901; Berry (1902-1955); George, born 1905; John, born 1910.
In 1911 the family were living at Sluice (Pevensey). When John died he left an estate of £138 to Berry Cowley Britton, schoolmaster, and Anne Britton, spinster.
At Alfred’s death he left £339-5s-6d to Frances Cowley Kimber, widow.
First World War Experience
Alfred enlisted in February 1918 and, although his service records have not survived, the following article appeared in a local newspaper dated 23rd November 1918:
“Wounded by Shrapnel
Private A. J. B. Kimber, London Regiment, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Kimber, of Sidley School House, has been wounded by shrapnel in the knee. He is in hospital in Birmingham, and is going on nicely. He joined up last February in the middle of a promising scholastic career.”
As Alfred died at a very young age and doesn’t appear to have married it is possible that his injuries affected his long-term health.
Alfred was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.