Cemetery: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery

Country: Belgium

Area: Poperingewest-Vlaanderen

Rank: Lance Corporal

Force: Army

Official Number: 12231

Unit: 10th Bn. Durham Light Infantry.

Country of Service: British

Details: A M 15th October 1915. Age 31. Husband of Ethel Alderson of 10 Stephenson St. Dunston-on-Tyne Co. Durham. I. B. 14A. An extract from the London Gazette dated the 19th May 1916 records the following : "On the evening of the 14th October 1915 Alderson with two other non-commissioned Officers was moving some bombs into a room in a farmhouse where they were to be stored. While the bombs were being stacked one of them fell to the floor and the percussion cap was fired. Alderson knowing that the bomb would explode in four seconds and that to throw it out of the window would endanger the men who were outside picked it up and tried to reach the door. Before he could get out of the door the bomb exploded blowing off his hand and inflicting other serious wounds from which he shortly died. By his prompt action in picking up and carrying the bomb he probably saved the lives of the three men who were in the room with him and by his presence of mind in not throwing it

Photograph by Op Tribute2 / David Milborrow