Sivell, AG

Private Alfred Gilbert Sivell

Born on April 12th 1876 in Valparaiso, Chile, Alfred was the third of four sons who were among nine children born to Lieutenant Charles Sivell, of the Royal Naval Reserve, and his Chilean wife, Alicia. By the time he was five the family had moved to England and all four brothers went on to attend Dulwich, Alfred being a pupil at the College for three years between 1888 and 1891. After leaving he joined the Merchant Navy and spent some time at sea serving aboard H.M.S. Conway but was forced to abandon this career after several years because of poor eyesight. He eventually settled in Canada, at first as a surveyor in Alberta before eventually settling on his own ranch on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. During his time in China he twice saved the life of other men, once during a riot at a lumber mill, and another whom he rescued from drowning in a river.
Upon the declaration of war Alfred signed up as a member of the First Canadian Contingent, originally with the 88th Victoria Fusiliers which was later absorbed into the 7th Battalion with whom he went over to England in September 1914. After several months training on Salisbury Plain, during which time he was offered, and refused, a commission, he went over to the front for the first time in February 1915 and was put to work trench building around Neuve Chapelle. He had been at the front for only around two months when he died on April 24th 1915. He was survived by his widow, Elizabeth.