Alfred Victor Clegg
1885 – 7th August 1915. Lancashire Fusiliers (6th Battalion)
Alfred Victor Clegg was a former Manchester FC player who was a Captain in the 6th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers during the First World War. Originally from Shore House in Littleborough, near Rochdale, Clegg first played rugby as a three-quarter back during his time at Clifton College. He went on to run the wing first for Manchester University and then Manchester FC. He was also a prize-winning long-distance runner and chemist. After university, like so many of the team, Clegg went into the family cotton business. By 1914 he had become a managing director of Messrs. E. Clegg, and was in charge of Shore Mills in his native Littleborough.
In 1909 he received his commission with the 6th “Rochdale” Battalion, and three years later was made captain. In 1915 the Fusiliers sailed to Gallipoli. The Rochdales were all-too-often at the centre of the bloodiest fighting on the peninsula’s southernmost front. During the 2nd Battle of Krithia, Clegg’s unit charged the heights of Achi Baba with Bayonets. Manchester University notes that “Alfred survived Achi Baba, though his Company suffered heavy casualties, including many of his own employees.”
Clegg’s unit was also involved during the Battle of Krithia Vineyard, a costly, Pyrrhic diversionary assault on the southern Helles front. Clegg was fatally wounded during the second day of the battle, the 7th August 1915, “hit while leading his company forward.”
Clegg is buried at Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Grave A.73.
SOURCE
University of Manchester
Manchester Guardian
World Rugby Museum