Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Grave: | Covehithe (St. Andrew) Churchyard | N.E. Churchyard Covehithe | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.117 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 27A GQS | |
| 4. Memorial: | Liverpool Masonic Hall War Memorial | Col.1. Hope St. | |
Awards & Titles: | British War Medal Victory Medal | ||
Early Life :
The majority of this legend is courtesy of Geoff Cuthill of the Province of West Lancashire, to whom the project is grateful.Born the eldest child in 1888 to John James Brady and Mary Ann Brady (nee Lewis) at Widnes, which at this time was in the Registration District of Prescot in 1888. His parent’s marriage was on 1 January 1887 at Holy Trinity Parish Church in Wavertree, Liverpool. John is a 22 year old labourer, the son of James Brady, a bricklayer. Mary Lewis is 21, daughter of Thomas Lewis, blacksmith. In the 1891 census return the family are in Widnes at 112 Oakland Street. By the time of the 1901 census they have moved to 48 Lunts Heath Road, still in Widnes, and are also to be found here in 1911. This census records that Alfred’s parents had been married for 24 years, and had seven children of whom six are still alive. Alfred, now aged 23, is found at his relatives house, Thomas and Annie Lewis, 33 Oakland Street, Widnes. He is described as ‘nephew’., and occupation within the music profession at the Music Hall. Interestingly in 1891 his father is a general labourer, but in the 1901 he describes himself as a Professor of Music and in 1911 as a music teacher, and this is obviously where Alfred inherited his musical ability.
Albert was an extremely competent musician and was part of the Wingates Temperance Prize Band which was formed in 1873 by members of Wingates Independent Methodist Church’s Bible class in Westhoughton. It rose to become one of the elite and in 1906 won the British open brass band championship and the British national championship. A remarkable double, repeating in the following year of 1907. Alfred was one of the five solo cornet players within in the Band. Sadly in the local disaster at the Pretoria pit in 1910 the band lost half of its membership among the 377 dead.
Although entered in his lodge records as Bradey, the memorial in Liverpool Masonic Hall mistakenly has his name as Bradley, the Roll of Honour Book, published by United Grand Lodge of England gives his name as Bradey, while the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and the publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, both correctly give Alfred’s surname as, Private, 292925, A.BRADY. died Friday, 17 August, 1917, 7th Bn. Cheshire Regiment, age 30, son of John James and Mary Ann Brady, 81 Clavell Road, Springwood, Allerton. The records of Liverpool Dramatic Lodge say that he died on 17 August 1917.
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 7th Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment |
| Action : Home Service |
Detail :
292925, Private Alfred Brady, 7th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment.
Formerly 201977, Liverpool Regiment.
Soldiers Died in Great War gives further information, saying, Alfred Brady, born Widnes, enlisted at Liverpool, died in the ‘Home Theatre’, as 292925 Private, 2/7th Bn. Cheshire Reg, formerly served as Private 4712, re-numbered 201977 with the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment. This allocated number could signify he was with the 5th Battalion during his period with the King’s. This number, in conjunction with his war gratuity points to Harry enlisting around mid October 1915 with the 5th Battalion and serving in France/Flanders. It is likely he was wounded or became ill and moved back to England and later reallocated to 2/7 Battalion, Cheshire Regiment stationed in Suffolk. His medal information card shows he was awarded the British War and Victory Medals. This would explain why he died and was buried at the North East of St Andrews Churchyard, in Covehithe, Suffolk.
Probate BRADY Alfred of 10 Agnes-street Edge Hill Liverpool private 7th battalion Cheshire regiment died 17 August 1917 at Wrentham Suffolk Administration (with Will) Liverpool 8 September to John James Brady piano tuner. Effects £107 12s. 10d.
The Liverpool Echo newspaper had two similar obituaries, both saying: Brady - August 17, at Wrentham, Suffolk, aged 28, Private Alfred Brady of Liverpool. The first added - His sorrowing Sweetheart, Gertie, while the second had (Deeply regretted by all at 10 Agnes-street)
He is additionally commemorated at St Mathews with St John Church, Rose Lane, Mossley Hill, Liverpool .
See also: Great War Forum.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Liverpool Dramatic No. 1609 E.C. | West Lancashire |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
27th April 1916 | 23rd May 1916 | 22nd August 1916 |
In the records of United Grand Lodge the name was originally recorded as Grady, and can now be seen with an overwrite of B and insertion of e to read Bradey. This person was reported to have been on war service from 1916 and "Died on War Service Aug/17"
Alfred Brady was initiated into Liverpool Dramatic Lodge No 1609 on 27 April 1916 age 27 described as being a Musician, residing at 10 Agnes Street, Liverpool, proposed by Bro. John Edward Fiddler a Band Master, and seconded by Bro. George William Toomey a Musician. He was passed to the Second Degree on 23 May 1916, and raised to the Third Degree on 22 August 1916. His Grand Lodge Certificate was issued on 15th March 1917.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley