Alfred enlisted on 5th February 1915 and was embodied into the East Anglian Casualty Clearing Station, Territorial Force. He was promoted to Sergeant on the 8th March, then acting Staff Sergeant on the 10th May and Staff Sergeant on the 30th July 1915 - the day he embarked on the "Royal Edward" at Devonport. He arrived at Alexandria on the 11th August, then set sail again to Gallipoli the next day. Alfred's body was never found and was believed to have drowned on the sinking of H.M.T. "Royal Edward" on passage from Alexandria to Gallipoli. He was the eldest son of Frederick Cann of 31 England Lane, Gorleston-on-Sea; and the husband of Violet May Storey (formerly Cann) of 19 George Row, Abbey Street, Bermondsey, London.