Alfred Wraith was born Moor House, Spennymoor, County Durham 17 July 1883
Alfred was the second son of George (Colliery Director, Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Co. Ltd) and Fanny (née Osborn)
He was educated at the North Eastern County School and Barnard Castle School.
He served 10 years with the Durham Light Infantry Territorials. He was a keen athlete and played hockey for the County of Durham.
Qualified as a mining engineer and went to South Africa in 1910.
When war broke out he joined the South African Expeditionary Force and fought through the German South-West Campaign as second in command of a field squadron of Engineers.
He returned to England in October 1915 and by July 1916 was in command of a company.
18 May 1917 Mentioned in Despatches.
Major Alfred Osborn Wraith died from wounds received at Messines when he was hit but a shell on his way to the trenches.
He was buried in Poperinge New Military Cemetery.
Major Alfred Osborn Wraith 254th Tunneling Company, Royal Engineers,
13 June 1917
Sources: De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour vol.5; Barnard Castle School, Poperinge New Military Cemetery, North East War Memorials Project.