Vassalli A J Cpl 2nd King Edward’s Horse
VASSALLI, ALFRED JEROME, Corpl., No. 305, 2nd King Edward’s Horse, s. of John Vassalli, of Scarborough, Jet Ornament Manufacturer, by his wife, Hannah, dau. of William Hardy; b. Whitby, co. York, 27 Aug. 1881 ; educ. Scarborough; was an officer in the Merchant Service, and wastraining with the Naval Reserve when the South African War broke out; volunteered, went with the naval guns to the Relief of Ladysmith, and took part in the operations in the Transvaal and Orange Free State and Natal (Queen’s medal with five bars), and was for some time despatch rider for Gen. Bethune, in whose cavalry regt. he afterwards served. He was a Naval Reservist, and on the outbreak of war was called up, but failed to pass the medical examination, and, being anxious to serve his country, joined the 2nd King Edward’s Horse, and was promoted Corpl. His health, however, broke down, and he died in King Edward VII Hospital, Windsor, 1 Oct. 1914, from pneumonia contracted while in camp at Slough. He was a Rural District Councillor at Drigg, Cumberland.
He m. at Scarborough 3 Sept. 1902, Anne Pembroke (Derwent House, Drigg, Holmrook, Cumberland), dau. of Frederick Reynolds, of the Inland Revenue Department, and had three children: Frederick John, b. 10 Nov. 1911; Annie Reynolds, b. 1 Feb. 1904; and Jessie Irene, b. 30 Dec. 1905.
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1