BAGLOW Alfred
Alfred BAGLOW
Private 462326, 54th Canadian Infantry
Died of Influenza on 3rd November 1918, aged 50. At Canadian Hospital, Bramshott, Surrey, UK
Buried at OYSTERMOUTH CEMETERY, Mumbles, Plot: K.26
Wife, Emily Mary Baglow née BASKETT, aged 37, from Bishopston, 22 Woodville Rd.
Four children: Catherine aged 24, Harold aged 20, Constance aged 19 and Sidney George age 16. Their second child William Alfred, died age 4 in 1902. All his children went on to marry in Gower.
Enlisted 20 August 1915, at Vernon, B C, while operating a gold mine, with a partner, in British Columbia Canada and stated that he was aged 38, born 29, September 1877 [sic]
Formerly R.N.R. Alfred's occupation is recorded as Mariner in the Merchant Navy. Religion: Presbyterian
When he enlisted he took 10 years off his age, but on becoming ill in France in 1918, while serving as a cook, it became apparent that he was over 50 and was transferred back to the Canadian General Depot, England
Born 1867, at Mumbles. His age could be confirmed by the Parish Record, which stated that Alfred, the son of William, a Mariner and Mary Ann, was baptised on 31st October 1869 in All Saints' Church and lived at Norton
A neighbour, Mrs Macnamara (the sister of William BOWDEN) who lived nearby, remembered that when the Vicar called on Emily Baglow, she sent one of her children around to her house to borrow a special cup and saucer for his use.
An archive of documents kept by his widow, Mrs Emily Mary Baglow, reveal a story of determination and hardship.
Her claim for the funeral expenses of £18-13-3 was submitted, but was rejected as the Canadian Government would not pay any more than the £5 already allotted to bury a soldier, but she was not told this by the undertaker when she chose a decent coffin for her husband.
Letters on file, also reveal her dissatisfaction with the chaotic conditions at Aldershot and her quest for money for the claim from the gold mine in Canada
The file of correspondence from immediately after the death of her husband, was deposited at West Glamorgan Archive, Swansea, around 1995. The copies which Emily filed were written in pencil, on paper used for stock control and suggest that Emily worked at a Shoe Shop in High Street, Swansea and that experienced shop staff may have assisted with the extensive correspondence, which also included the items below.
Service Record
Burial Payment
Funeral Expences
8th November 1918, Parcels Department
Mr Baglow: to Swansea, a Corpse - £9: 5: 0
Funeral Expences incurred: £18:13:3.
Extract of Parish Record for All Saints' Church, Oystermouth
Alfred’s father William BAGLOW was a mariner from Barnstaple who married Mary Ann PROTHEROE in Swansea, 1867 After having 8 children she died in 1885 Gower, aged 41.
William BAGLOW then married the sister of his first wife Elizabeth PROTHEROE, 1885 Gower
They went on to have a further four children before she died in 1893
William married for a third time in Dec 1894 Gower to Lucy.
Although CAMALITA is the name on the register she was probably the youngest sister of the previous two wives, Lucy PROTHERO, born 1855 Norton
He died in Swansea, 1908 and Lucy in Gower 1922