Alfred was born in Yalding, Kent on 29th December 1892 to parents Alfred and Jane and recorded on the 1901 census aged eight along with his parents and seven siblings in Salehurst, Sussex.
He joined the Navy as an Ordinary Seaman, under the service number SS 3493 for short service on 23rd January 1911, listed as being 5'9" tall with auburn hair and blue/grey eyes. He trained at HMS PEMBROKE I before being posted to HMS IRRESISTIBLE on 8th March 1911, staying 2 months before returning to Pembroke. He then boarded HMS AEOLUS as an Able Seaman on 27th January 1913, where he was then transferred for continuous service on 10th March 1913 and received the above service number.
Alfred left HMS AEOLUS in October 1913, had further training at Pembroke before boarding HMS ACTAEON for 5 months until March 1914. He was posted to HMS VANGUARD on 1st June 1915 and served on her during the Battle of Jutland. During this time he had taken various steps and exams to become a Petty Officer. He continued to serve on the Vanguard until the ship's explosion. For reasons unknown his nickname was Tim.
#150 - 595/843
Sources:
1901 & 1911 England Census
Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188; Piece: 1097
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War.; Class: ADM 242; Piece: 009 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
United Kingdom, Battle of Jutland Crew Lists, 1916 Battle of Jutland Crew Lists Project; Jutland Crew Lists Sheets; URL: https://www.jutlandcrewlists.org/jcl-sheets
Photo source - Etchingham Newspaper/British Newspaper Archive
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