Kings Royal Rifle Corps 18th Battalion, Service no. C/6184
Son of James Bickerdike and Mary Goodall, 11 South View, Station Road, Kippax.
Elder brother of Walter Bickerdike who was killed in action 14th May 1916
Died of wounds 24th July 1917 on his way to England, aged 34
Story
Before the war Alfred was employed at The Bowers Allerton and Allerton Bywater Collieries, and had been a scholar in the United Methodist Sunday School. Alfred enlisted in the army in July 1915, and predominantly served in France.
The Kings Royal Rifle Corps was engaged in The Battle of Messines (7th – 14th June 1917). This was an offensive conducted by the British Second Army, under the command of General Sir George Plumer, on the Western Front near the village of Messines in Belgian, West Flanders. The offensive at Messines forced the German Army to move reserves to Flanders from the Arras and Aisne fronts, which relieved pressure on the demoralised French Army. The tactical objective of the attack at Messines was to capture the German defences on the ridge, which ran from Ploegsteert (“Plugstreet”) Wood in the south through Messines and Wytschaete to Mt. Sorrel, to deprive the German Fourth Army of the high ground south of Ypres. Alfred was wounded on the 7th July, and died on board the Hospital ship “St. George” on his way back to England.
Alfred’s body was returned to Kippax. His coffin was borne from the house to the hearse by a party of soldiers attending from Pontefract Barracks, whilst the United Methodist Chapel choir sang “Jesus, Lover of my Soul.” Despite heavy rain the streets of Kippax were lined with sympathising friends. As with his brother’s service over a year ago, Alfred’s service was conducted by Reverend E. B. Smith. Psalm 20 (“The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble”) was read, and the hymn “Fight the good fight” was sung. At the close of the Service, the organist played Chopin’s Funeral March. The Vicar also conducted the service at the graveside, after which three volleys were fired and the ‘Last Post’ sounded. The Church and the vicinity were crowded, as this was the first military funeral with full military honours to have been held in Kippax. Among those attending were the special constables, the chairman of the Parish Council, Mr. Silverwood, and several members of the council, members of the Ambulance Brigade, teachers from the United Methodist Sunday school, and members of the George the Fourth Lodge of Oddfellows. Chief mourners were Alfred’s parents, his brother Joseph, his (then) unmarried sisters Mary Hannah and Gertrude, and his married sisters Caroline Varley and Ada Wagstaff.
Kippax Roll of Honour 