Alfred enlisted into the Medical Staff Corps on 23rd April 1896. He was 21 years and 6 months old, and was a Waiter by trade. He saw previous overseas service in Egypt and in Malta, and took part in the Nile Expedition in 1898. He entered the war in France on 18th August 1914, as part of the Regimental Medical Officer's team for the 36th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. On 17th September 1914, however, he suffered a gun shot wound and was evacuated back to the UK. He was discharged "no longer physically fit for war service" on 31st January 1915.