Hi Baker,
This is from CWGC about the Cemetery
Fricourt was captured by the 17th Division on 2 July 1916 but the southern part of the commune, in which this cemetery is situated, was already in Allied hands. On the road from Fricourt to Bray, before it reaches the top of the plateau, are two points 71 metres above sea level, known to the Army as 71 North and 71 South. A little further on was a feature known as the Citadel.
The cemetery is in the Northern part of a valley, running from Fricourt to the Somme, which was known in 1916 as "Happy Valley." It was begun by French troops and from August 1915, when the first Commonwealth burials were made, it was known as the Citadel Military Cemetery (Point 71). It was used until November 1916 and once in August 1918. The great majority of the burials were carried out from field ambulances before the Battles of the Somme. In the Autumn of 1916 the Citadel became a large camp for units withdrawn from the line.
It seems probable that Alfred died of wounds in a Field Ambulance, rather than Killed in Action as specified by SDGW and Soldiers Effects. I would imagine there was a battlefield cemetery nearer to the front line, where burials in action would generally be made, but he is not noted as a concentration. It remains possible he was killed by long range shell fire in Happy Valley. The War Diary and Press reports may throw more light.
Good luck and Welcome
Tim
