VICKERS, Alexander George. CH/PM. WW1. CWGC.
Died 23/05/1918 Age 18. Private, North Staffordshire Regiment, 5th Bn. Service Number 51130.
Alexander George VICKERS was born in Derby on 31 December 1899, his birth was registered in early 1900 and he was baptised on 1 Feb 1900 at St Thomas the Apostle Church, Derby.
His parents were Albert Edward Vickers, a house joiner, and Eliza Vickers (nee Crooks) who had married in 1897 in Derby. On 1 Feb 1900 the family were living at 23 Pear Tree Street, Derby. Albert Edward Vickers was born in Derby, whilst Eliza Vickers (nee Crooks) was born in Milford, Derbyshire.
The 1901 Census has the family at the same address, 23 Pear Tree Street, Derby, but by the 1911 Census the family were at 29 Violet Street, Derby.
Alexander George VICKERS enlisted at Derby on 20 February 1918 in the 5th North Staffordshire Regiment, with his Service Number 51130. His military record describes him as a Clerk living at 29 Violet Street Derby. At the time of his enlistment he listed his family as three brothers John, Frank and Horace, and a sister Evelyn.
His older brother, Albert Harold Vickers, had already enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters 2nd/5th Bn with Service Number 82314, but died on 21 March 1918 and is commemorated at Bay 7 of the CWGC Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
Alexander George VICKERS military service was short, as on 2 May 1918 he was admitted to the No. 4 General (City) Hospital, Long Leys Road, Lincoln, where he died on 23 May 1918. A post mortem found that his death was due to Tubercular Meningitis. His personal effects and war gratuity were delivered to his father. He was buried on 28th May 1918 in Plot: A39/*/46706.
Alexander George VICKERS is commemorated as “A G Vickers” on the War Memorial at St Thomas Church, Pear Tree Road, Derby.
The 1921 Census shows that the surviving family remained at 29 Violet Street, Derby.
His father was buried with him on 8th July 1936. His mother Eliza Vickers died on 22 Jan 1938 and was buried with her son on 26 Jan 1938.
Sources: Derby Census of 1901, 1911 and 1921. Register of Marriages in Derby for 1897. Baptism Record. Registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths in Derby and Lincoln. CWGC Records. Military Service Record, Medical Record, and Register of Soldiers’ Effects. Newspaper articles and announcements.
