In Memory of

ALFRED JAMES JOYCE

Born: 1910 Parsonage Lane, Steventon, Berkshire.

Youngest of 5 children born to William & Emily Edith Joyce of 31 Castle Street, Steventon.

Pre-war occupation: Unknown

5105580 Private Alfred James Joyce

1st/7th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Died: 15th February 1940 aged 30

Killed in Action – France & Belgium Campaign

REMEMBERED WITH HONOUR:

Orchard Dump Cemetery

Arleux-En-Gohelle, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

Plot 3. Row F. Grave 43.

COMMEMORATED IN PERPETUITY BY THE

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

As Private Alfred Joyce died whilst taking part in the France/Belgium campaign with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, it is likely he was part of 1st/7th Battalion. Private Joyce is listed by the CWGC as part of 1st Battalion, but as 1st battalion only served in India during WW2, it is more likely that he was actually with the 1st/7th.

The 1st/7th Battalion was part of the formation of 48th (South Midland) Division (Maj-Gen A.F.A.N Thorne), 143rd Infantry Brigade (British Expeditionary Force 1940): they fought in Belgium and France. They took part in the retreat and action at Dunkirk, by holding the enemy back on the Comines Canal, the Escaut Canal and at Wormhoudt where some were massacred by the SS Leibstandarte.

The Orchard Dump Cemetery, was begun in April 1917, on the new front resulting from the Battles of Arras, and it was used by the units holding that front until the following November. During World War II, No.2 Casualty Clearing Station was at Rouvroy, three kilometres north-east of Arleux, and the cemetery was used again. There are over 3000 WWI and 20 WWII war casualties commemorated at this site.

Alfred James’s Grandparents had been living in Steventon since at least 1789. Alfred was born in Vicarage Lane, Steventon (poss. No.6). This is where the Joyce family were living in 1911. At the age of one, Alfred is recorded as living there along with his two elder brothers, Donald and Norman, his sister Winnifred and his half sister Margaret. In 1935 Alfred was living at No.31 Castle Street and stayed there up to 1938 according to the Electoral Rolls. His widowed Mother and elder brother Norman were also living there in 1939 (according to the 1939 register).



Joyce Way in Steventon is named after this soldier's family. Please click here for further information.