b. 01/04/1881 Burslem, Staffordshire. d. 19/09/1956 Staffordshire.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 07/08/1908 Tunstall, Staffordshire.
Alfred Hunt AM
Alfred was born on April 1st 1881, the son of Robert and Esther Louisa Hunt (nee Malkin). His father was a collier, and when Alfred left education, he worked on the railways or as a bricklayer. In February 1898, he enlisted in the North Staffs Militia, before transferring to the Cheshire Regiment. He served in the Boer War from 1899-1902, before deciding to stay in the Army in 1904 to complete nine years service.
On the outbreak of WWI, he re-enlisted as a Driver in 32 Battery, 33 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, and served in India, Mesopotamia and Egypt. Following discharge in 1919, he returned to the Potteries. In 1909 he married a widow, Rose Emily Bailey, and they had three children. He was also awarded the Bronze Medal for Lifesaving of the Order of St John of Jerusalem for this rescue.
AM CITATION:
The KING- was pleased, on Monday last, the 14th December, at Buckingham Palace, to present to Mr. Alfred Hunt, of Longport, the Albert Medal of the Second Class conferred upon him by His Majesty’s command for gallantry in endeavouring to save the life of his brother at Tunstall, on the 7th August last, as detailed below: On the day in question, two brothers, Robert and Alfred Hunt, were employed at Messrs. Johnson Brothers’ Pottery at Tunstall in cleaning out a tank, nine feet three inches deep and nine feet wide, under the engine house floor, containing hot water and oil, when Robert Hunt, who was bending over the opening of the tank, fell in. Alfred Hunt, who was working close by at the time, hearing his brother cry out as he fell, immediately jumped into the tank after him, although he knew that the water must be very hot, and succeeded in pulling him out. Robert Hunt was so badly scalded that he succumbed to his injuries.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
Acknowledgement:
Allan Stanistreet – Image of Alfred Hunt AM.