RACKETT, Alfred Robert

Alfred was born on the 29th of October 1876 in Ryde to William & Mary (nee WADHAM) RACKETT. In 1881 the family lived at South Street, Ryde, in 1891 at Warwick Street, Ryde, 1901 at 11 Warwick Street. In 1901 at the Bible Christian Chapel, York Road, Sandown, Alfred married Elizabeth Rose Annie JACKMAN & they first lived at Newcomen Road in Lake before moving to 29 New Street, Newport.

Alfred was badly injuried in the German air raid on Newport on the morning of the 7th of April 1943. He susequently died from those injuries on the 25th of September 1943, & buried in Carisbrooke Cemetery. However, it was not until 2024 that Alfred was officially recognised as a Civilian War Casualty. This was due to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) not being informed of Alfred's death being directly attributable to Enemy Action. This was corrected by members of the Newport & Carisbrooke Heritage Society, & now Alfred appears in the CWGC Casualty Records & his name being commemorated by the Commission on the National Role of Honour in St. Georges Chapel, Westminster Abbey in London.