SELLORS Alfred

MORTON CASUALTIES

Another Morton man has made the supreme sacrifice for King and country the sad tidings coming to hand on Wednesday, that Sergt Alfred Edward Sellars of the Notts and Derbyshire Regiment , had been killed in action on August 1st. Deceased was aged 22 years and a son of Mr & Mrs J Sellars of Main Road, Morton. He was married while serving with the Colours , and his wife and child also reside in the same thoroughfare. Prior to enlisting, he worked as a miner at the Clay Cross Co’s Morton pit and was a popular young fellow amongst his workmates. Joining the Notts & Derbyshire Regiment on October 22nd, 1914, he was subsequently transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, and by strict attention to duty earned quick promotion. As a sergt- instructor he did excellent work in England, and had been in France for less than three weeks, when he was killed. Second – Lieut. Jos. E. Hancock , writing to the bereaved wife, says “ it is with deep regret that I have to inform you that your husband was killed instantly by a shell which burst close to him on the morning of August 1st. He was buried close by the same evening. Segt. Sellars was a most reliable N.C.O. , always cheerful and a willing worker, and he is a very great loss to my section. Yo must try and find consolation in the fact that he has given his life for his country and all that was dear to him at home. I can only repeat how deeply I and all the men in my section feel for you in your great tribulation.

Derbyshire Times : 11th August 1917 p5.

SELLORS In loving memory of my dear husband , Sergt. A. Sellors of M.G.C . ( Machine Gun Corps) , killed August 1st 1917.

When duty called him he was there,
He did his bit, he did his share :
For country and loved ones his life he gave ,
A loving husband good and kind.
He proved to be in heart and mind
A tender parent, too, as well
But few like him on earth did dwell .

From his loving Wife and Child
Main Road Morton.

SELLORS In remembrance of our dear brother Sergt Alfred Edward Sellors M.G.C.who was killed in action August 1st 1917.

“Peace perfect peace, with loved ones far away “ From his ever loving sister and brother in law , Mabel and Ned.

SELLORS In remembrance of our dear brother Sergt Alfred Edward Sellors M.G.C.who was killed in action August 1st 1917.

“May he rest in peace “ From his ever loving sister and brother in law , Sarah and Harry.

SELLORS In loving memory of a dear husband and father, Sergt Alfred Sellors of Main Road Morton, killed in action August 1st 1917.

“He died nobly doing his duty – ever remembered by his loving Wife and Child.

TRANSCRIPT OF THE LETTER FROM CANON PRIOR , RECTOR OF MORTON, TO ALFRED SELLORS.

My very dear Boy,

I was very pleased to receive your very well expressed letter this morn- delightfully written. I wish you could get into the office – you have all the ability for this work. I wondered what had become of you and I was so sorry to miss you when you were over the other day. I wanted to know about Sarah Ann and how she is getting on and when you are expecting your child: you can tell these things to an old father like me and I want to know. I would like to run over and see her some evening if I knew where she was. You have never been happy at pit work but of course money cannot be made so easily in any other walk of life. Ben was over on Sunday with his young lady and collected at 8 in his khaki: he looked terribly burnt but I had no word with him as we were both very busy. There is no trip this year: I won’t go near the cricket field; how can people play games whilst our dear lads are fighting and dying. We are keeping all places open and your bell is waiting for you. I think Italy joining us will help to bring the war to an earlier close. Jim G is a L. Cpl so are Albert B and Will Thompson *. George Wilson was over on Sunday – he looks so well and has grown a lot. Siddons and Thurnham and Stanley ( ?) and Parks ( ?) were all sent up to Salisbury on Saturday. Albert * and Bill * to Edinboro. Tom K tells about joining the Flying Corps- but nothing will shift Fred. The men’s class is reduced to a faithful 20 – we talk about the War every afternoon. So many thanks for the photo; I think it is very good. The School Treat is on Friday – how I wish you were here to help us! Well dear boy, I like to hear of you being at church on Sunday on your own account; there is something ???? satisfying about (? ) I saw 250,000 men on Salisbury Plain: young Arnold was there.

Your very affectionate friend

A.H.P.

*killed in action: Will Thompson, Albert and William Thompson

TRANSCRIPTION OF A LETTER SENT BY CANON PRIOR TO THE WIDOW OF SARGEANT ALFRED SELLORS

My dear Sarah,

The news conveyed to me by Edward Ford has come as a very great shock. My heart bleeds for you. I know what you were to each other- I know how fond he was of you and how his whole thought was of you and your comfort. It was brave of you to have got together your little home against his homecoming and now one of our best boys will come home no more: it is the best we are losing. I can say so little to soothe your aching heart: I wish I were at home to come to see you.

I should not like anyone else to take his memorial service – how will Sunday afternoon at 3 on August 26th do for you all? In the Morn ( ?) and Eve Comm(?). Hamilton will be here and I suggest a special service in the afternoon. I hope to be back next week.

Accept my true sympathy and believe me to be your very true friend

A. H. Prior.

War Graves Commission Citation