Alfred Ernest Hastwell's
Great War Red Cross Record's Webpage
In 1916 Alfred’s father was about 69 years old, and his mother was deceased, so it fell to Edith, as the eldest sibling, who would have been about 47 at the time, to undertake the role of next-of-kin for Alfred and conduct communication with the Red Cross, who maintained an Information Bureau to help families stay in touch with their relatives who had gone to war. Knowing how relatives were faring at this time of violence and uncertainty was very important to families and the Red Cross played an enormously important role here. Upon hearing somehow that Alfred was sick, Edith contacted Mr C.A. Edmunds of the Red Cross hoping to gain information regarding Alfred. The ensuing communications are included on this page. Edith was informed that Alfred suffered a bout of jaundice, was hospitalised in Malta and that eventually he regained his health and re-joined his unit. (Text and photos supplied by Graeme Cecil Hastwell - grandson of Alfred Ernest Hastwell.)
