Cornelius Alfred Alexander Tester
Service no. 966031
Gunner, Royal Field Artillery, 301st Bde.
Died of influenza and bronchopneumonia on 12 December 1918, aged 28
CWGC: "Son of Alfred and Charlotte Tester, of 53, Hasebrigge Rd., Clapham; husband of Marie Tester, of 17, Franconia Rd., Clapham, London."
Remembered at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt
Information from the 1911 census
In 1911 Clapham-born Cornelius Tester, then a 20-year-old clerk in the tramway offices, was living with his parents and siblings at 40 Crescent Road, Clapham, where they shared four rooms. His father, Alfred Tester, 52, was a house painter, born in Lambeth; his mother, Charlotte Stead Tester, 50, was a laundress, born in Acton, west London.
William Tester, 12, and Frances Tester, 7, were at school; they were born in Clapham.
British Army Service Records
Attested at Woolwich 27 October 1915, aged 24 and 10 month, occupation "clerk"
Examined at Woolwich:
5 feet 10 half inches
144 pounds
chest 34 inches + 2 inches
Physical development: fair
Note: "Heart acts nervously and quickly and believes [had] heart disease in infancy."
Judged Ai but had dental caries. "dental treatment required"
12 July 1916 attached to 25th AA Battery
9 August 1916 Admitted to hospital
30 August 1916 Posted to 301st Brigade
? September 1916 Neurasthenia
31 September 1916 Returned to duty
3 December 1916 Embarked Marseille
12 December 1916 Disembarked Salonika
11 June 1917 Embarked Salonika
16 June 1917 Disembarked Alexandra. Joined C Battery
Unknown date: Granted Class II Proficiency Pay
Died of influenza at 17th General Hospital, Alexandria, aged 28
Cause of death: "Influenza. Pneumonia. Cardiac failure due to myocarditis. Oedema of lungs"
6 December 1918 "2 days ill at Sidi Bisha". Cough and dry cyanosis
7 December 1918 Given oxygen and alcohol (medicinal)
9 December 1918 Delerious at intervals; given digitalis with camphor
10 December 1918 Constant noisy delerium
11 December 1918 Same as 10/12
12 December 1918 Worse. Given NaHCO3 (sodium-hydrogen-carbonate) and ???? Died at 8pm
"The disease was attributable to active service."
No will.
Served 3 years and 47 days.
Tester's effects were lost or stolen in transit. Missing items included a gold ring, purse, watch and money.
Widow (Marie) granted 13s and 9d a week pension from 30 June 1919. There were no children.
Other
Baptised 22 February 1891 - Clapham Park, St James, Surrey
Married 28 November 1915 - Marie Newbury (daughter of Charles Newbury, a plumber; address 68 Crescent Road)
Service history available
Died in Egypt (pneumonia)