Name: Alfred Ernest Aikman Williams Rank: Corporal Service Number: 133063 Service: 101st Field Artillery, 26th Infantry Division Army National Guard “Yankee Division” Date of Birth: August 16, 1889 Place of Birth: Kingston, Saint Andrew, Jamaica Date of Enlistment: August 24, 1917 Place of Enlistment: Boxford, Mass Address at Enlistment: Limon, Costa Rica Age at Enlistment: 28 Height: 5 feet, 5½ inches Complexion: Light Eye Colour: Blue Hair Colour: Light Brown Occupation: Clerk (United Fruit Company) Marital Status: Single (at enlistment) Date of Discharge: February 28, 1919 Age: Date of Death: June 10, 1943 (Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, USA) Age: 53 Cemetery: Yarmouth Mountain Cemetery Yarmouth, NS, Canada. Alfred (Fred) E. A. Williams was born in Saint Andrew, Jamaica, British West Indies, to Rowland Ashby Williams (1846-1921) and Caroline Matilda Aikman (1856-1927). He was the sixth of eight children, with two brothers and five sisters. He was the husband of Jean Doane (McGray) Williams (1886-1957). Jean was born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. In 1917, as a British subject, he travelled to Massachusetts and enlisted in the United States Army as a private with the 26th Infantry Division. He went overseas on September 9, 1917 and was assigned to the French Defensive Sector, he fought in three World War I battles, Aisne Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne. He was promoted to Corporal, and was awarded the victory medal. He returned to the United States on February 14, 1919. He was discharged in 1919 and resumed employment with the United Fruit Company in New York. On May 10, 1919, he married Jean MacGray in St. Mary’s Church, South Boston. In 1906 there was a devastating hurricane in Jamaica. At the time Alfred was 17 years old. Jean McGray, living in Yarmouth, NS sent boxes of clothing to Jamaica. One of Alfred’s sisters helping in the distribution of clothing found the letter and corresponded with Jean who sent a photograph of herself. The sister showed Jean’s picture to Alfred. and according to family ‘legend’ when he saw it he said, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry.” In 1917 he was given a short leave prior to going overseas. Alfred went to Yarmouth to meet Jean and before he returned they were engaged. Alfred died on June 10, 1943. Jean died on February 6, 1957. They are buried in Mountain Cemetery, Yarmouth NS.

Sources: findagrave - Alfred Ernest Aikman William findagrave - Jean Doane McGray Williams