Ernest Allfrey

Born: 31 Jan 1894

Died: 30 Jul 1971

Married: Violet Richardson

Mother: Mary Wells

Father: Ernest Allfrey

Descendant: Beryl Allfrey

Census

Ernest Frank Allfrey (Junior) was born on the 31st January 1894 in East Sussex, and died in 1971.

His parents were Ernest Frank Allfrey and Mary Minnie Wells.

His father died when he was seven, and in 1901 he is living with his newly widowed mother at 29 Sussex Street, Brighton along with his 1 year old brother Cecil.

His mother later married Ernest Edward "Teddy" Bradford. By 1911 he was still living with them in 17 Trinity Street in Brighton. He was 17, and listed as working as a cost keeping clerk for a general manufacturer.

Military

Ernest was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery, on the 30th April 1917 he was promoted from Cadet to 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery (according the London Gazette, 5th May 1917).

Allfrey, Ernest Frank (Hon. 2nd Lt. late R. Art., Terr. Force)
Born: 31 Jan 1894
Rank when last serving: 2nd Lt.
Regiment from which retired: R.Art.,Terr.Force
Retired: 6 Feb 1918

From the army records his pension began in February 1918, at which point he was awarded a silver badge indicating that he had a disability, although what is not specified.

Marriage

He married Violet Emily Ada Richardson on the 13th January 1917 at St John's Church in Brighton. At the time he was living at 17 Trinity Street, Brighton, and was listed as being a soldier. The witnesses were her father, Frank Engleheart Richardson, and a Dorothy Wieland Stevens. His father, Ernest Frank Allfrey was listed as deceased (having died at the age of 27, when Ernest jnr. was only 7).

In 1918 he was registered to vote at 17 Trinity Street, Brighton. Registered at the same house was his brother Victor Arthur Allfrey (who had already been killed in the war by this time).

In 1920 he was still registered to vote at 17 Trinity Street, Brighton,but now registered at the same house were Minnie Bradford (his mother), Ernest Edward Bradford (his step-father), and Cecil Nash Allfrey.

Children

They had two children:

Beryl Violet Nash Allfrey born 25th August 1918
Frank Victor Nash Allfrey(Tim)

Hassocks Scoutmaster

Ernest was the Scoutmaster for the Hassocks Troop from 1921 onwards when it was reformed after the war.

On 18th August 1921 the West Sussex Gazette reported for Hassocks:

The boy scouts returned last week-end from a week's camp at Swanwiek, near Netley. Mr. E. F. Allfrey, the scoutmaster, was in charge, and the camp was made possible by the financial support of local residents.

The Mid Sussex Times on the 20th September 1921 reported on the Hassocks and Ditchling Hospital Carnival:

The Hassocks Scout tableau was the most picturesque and original thing a the carnival. It depicted an incident in the history of the early connection of the British with the American Indians - the capture of Captain John Smith. Smith was seen standing between two Indian braves before the great Chief Powhatan, and pleading for his life was the beautiful Princess Pocahontas. The whole scene was realistically and faithfully portrayed. A picturesque wigwam covered with native hieroglyphics formed an ideal background, and against the colour scheme of swarthy Indians, with their highly-coloured blankets, a dew palms gave just the requisite touch of green. the especial credit of the tableau lies in the fact that everything from costumes to weapons and decorations was improvised by the ingenious Scoutmaster (Mr. E. F. Allfrey) and the boys themselves. The troop certainly has every right to be proud of its achievement. The Scouts taking part in the tableau were ...

Mid Sussex Times - 1st November 1921:

HASSOCKS TROOP. - Scoutmaster, Mr. Frank Allfrey. Fifteen Scouts.
It was decided at a meeting held at the Clayton Park Hotel on April 6th, 1921, that it was both possible and desirable to restart the Hassocks Troop, which had fallen into abeyance during the war. A Committee was formed, having Mr. Randall Davidson as Chairman and Colonel R. W. Deane, C.B.E., as Hon. Treasurer. The Committee gratefully accepted an offer from Mr. E. F. Allfrey, of Hurstpierpoint, to become Scoutmaster, and under this gentleman's able and experienced leadership the Troop has gone ahead wonderfully. It has been most generously supported by local residents, and the assistance and interest of the members of the Committee has been unflagging. The Troop now numbers 15 Scouts and several new recruits. Four of the boys are second-class Scouts and one is completing his tests for first-class. Following a number of instructive week-end camps, the Scouts went for their summer camp to Swanwick in Hampshire, and were given a good time by the kindness of Mr. A. H. Boyd. During their ten days in camp the boys had bathing, shooting, fishing and scouting games. They also visited Southampton and Portsmouth, and saw many places and things of interest. The Troop took first place at the Hassocks and Ditchling Hospital Carnival for a tableau depicting the capture of Captain John Smith by the Indians of Virginia. The troop rents its own headquarters.

Mid-Sussex Times, 16th May 1922:

THE BOY SCOUTS. - The Hassocks Boy Scout Troup is still going strong. There are now 15 Scouts and although Mr. E.F. Allfrey, the Scoutmaster, is, unfortunately still convalescing at Matlock, in Derbyshire, his brother, Mr. Leslie Allfrey, is carrying on in his place. As an illustration of what the Scouts are doing it may be of interest to mention a "stunt" which recently took place in conjunction with the Hurst Scouts. A certain danger zone was agreed upon by the Scoutmasters, which consisted of a length of the road between Hassocks and Hurst, and this was guarded by 12 Hurst Scouts. An equal number of Hassocks boys were then told to get through the danger zone each carrying a written message. They were not allowed to leave the road for more than a road's breadth on either side, and were compelled to be in uniform, though they were permitted to wear any disguise over this. This, naturally, gave scope to personal initiative, and the result was remarkable to the extreme. One Scout sailed through the opposing guards on the back of a friend's motor, being disguised as a girl. Another who appeared in Naval uniform for through on a cycle after an exciting struggle, and a third, in the disguise of a grimy mechanic, also eluded capture. One very good attempt on foot was made by what appeared to be a dear tremulous old lady in a bonnet and other antique garb, but some little fault in the make-up attracted the attention of the vigilant guard and the old lady underwent an extra-ordinary change in appearance in a very short time. Three out of a dozen messengers were all that got through, but on the tables being turned and the Hurst Scouts running the gauntlet they were not even so fortunate as this, and all of them were captured. Scoutmaster I.H. Gilbert of Hurst, sportingly called for three sheets for the winners, and the Hassocks Scouts heartily reciprocated in acknowledgement of the really "Scouts" losers.

The 1930 Kelly's directory for Burgess Hill, Sussex, lists his brother Frank Edwd. Allfrey as being a Greengrocer at 5 Western Road.

On the 18th December 1934 an article in the Mid Sussex Times stated that he appeared as a witness (along with his brother Cecil Nash Allfrey) to support his father-in-law E.E.Bradford, who was being sued by his former landlord for the state of a rented property (102 Junction Road, Burgess Hill) that he had vacated. Their testimony didn't help as they were considered non-impartial witnesses, and he had to pay for repairs.

Hurstpierpoint and District Root Show and Ploughing Match

On the 19th February 1935 an article in the Mid Sussex Times announced the resignation of the secretary of the Hurst Root Show, a Mr O. S. Allston.

... Mr Rich said after a good deal of trouble in finding a successor to Mr. Allston, he discovered Mr E. F. Allfrey, the milk recorder for the Hassocks district, who offered to take the post. Mr Allfrey was duly nominated and thanked for his acceptance of the office ...

On the 20th March 1936 the Sussex Agricultural Express listed Mr E.F. Allfrey as the honourable Secretary for the "Hurstpierpoint Root and Corn Show and Ploughing Match". He was re-elected to this post. On Friday 2nd October 1936 the Annual Dinner was held at the Chinese Gardens, Hurstpierpoint in the evening, and Mr E. F. Allfrey was in attendance. In October 1937 again for the "Hurst Ploughing Match" it was stated "The organisation was carried out by Mr. E.F. Allfrey (hon secretary).". On the 18th October 1938 the Mid Sussex Times report on the show stated "in his quiet and courteous manner, Mr. E. F. Allfrey again laid claim to being the perfect Hon. Secretary. Nothing is ever too much trouble for him." On the 19th September 1939 he announced in the Mid Sussex Times about the Hurstpierpoint & District Agricultural Association that "The Chairman instructs me to announce that on account of the prevailing conditions the Annual Show is cancelled". I assume that this was because of the start of the war.

In 1939 They were living at 21, Mile Oak Gardens, Portslade-by-Sea U.D., Sussex, England.

Frank E. Richardson, born 18 March 1896, Body Builder (Motor)
Violet G. Richardson, born 21st February 1896, Unpaid Domestic Duties.
Ernest F. Allfrey, born 31 January 1894, Milk Recorder at present assistant to local fuel overseer
Beryl V.N. Carrington (overwrites Allfrey), born 25th August 1918, Shop Assistant/wool.
closed entry (born after 1914)

Three years later, in 1942, Violet dies when they were living at 37 Applesham Way, Portslade, Brighton and Hove.

From the Hampshire Telegraph, 26th June 1942:

Woman's Body On Downs
A 13-years-old boy discovered on the South Downs near Brighton, Monday, the body of Mrs. Violet Emily Ada Allfrey, aged 43, wife of a Portslade-by-Sea Council official. She had been reported missing since February.

This newspaper report had one fact wrong, she actually went missing in May.

After her mother's death, Beryl was parted from her father and brother through no fault of her own.

Second Marriage

Sometime later in 1942, Ernest marries Jeane E.M. Best, who was, at 23, a year younger than his daughter Beryl (Q3, 1942, Hove, 2b, 723). Jeane lived in Portslade by Sea in 1939, and was a municipal clerk, and that might be how she met Ernest.

In a 1954 commercial directory, 16-17 Vale road was listed as the Portslade Urban District Council offices; W. Lonsdale, registrar; E.F. Allfrey, local fuel overseer; Civil Defence.

Death

Probate:

  ALLFREY Ernest Frank of 37 Applesham Wy Portslade-by-Sea Sx died 30 July 1971 Administration Brighton 27 August. £3179

Photographs

To the left is Ernest dressed up in his uniform (on the same chair that his wife was photographed on), and below later on in his life with some of his (allegedly up to 7!) Scottish terriers (note the matching wallpaper and sofa). Source JPA.

Other Records

National Archives: Reference: WO 374/1213 Description: 2/Lieutenant Ernest Frank ALLFREY. Royal Field Artillery. Date: 1914-1918; 1971 Held by: The National Archives, Kew

Medal card; http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D1017048

Supplement to the London Gazette, 5th May, 1917.

Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery

The undermentioned Cadets to be 2nd Lts, 30th Apr. 1917:

 Ernest Frank Allfrey
 ...

The Worthing Gazette says that a Constable Allfrey "Resumes Police Duties following discharge from army through injury" on the 29th May 1918. No initials or first name given. However on the 20th November 1918 other news reports from the Worthing Gazette refers to a Constable L.F. Allfrey getting an award for stopping a runaway van horse. This is likely to be Ernest's brother Leslie Frederick Allfrey.

Mid Sussex Times, 4th October 1938

In an advert for the "Hurstpierpoint Root and Corn Show and Ploughing Match" one of the people from whom tickets can be obtained for the dinner is "Mr. E.F. Allfrey, 2 Wickham Villas, Hurst Wickham, Hassocks".