Leading Seaman Alfred John Lock
| Date of Birth | 15/10/1877 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 42 |
| Date of Death | 23/12/1917 |
| Service Number | 176950 |
| Military Service | Royal Navy |
| Merton Address | |
| Local Memorial | St. Barnabas' Church, Mitcham |
Additional Information
Alfred John who was the third child of Amelia New and Charles John Lock, he was born at Portsea in Hampshire on the 15/10/1877. His father Charles John was employed as a general labourer according to the 1871 Census. His parents Amelia New and Charles John Lock had married at Portsea during the last quarter of 1862.
The 1881 Census reveals that Alfred John was living as a lodger with his mother and six brothers and sisters at 1 Nettlestone Terrace, Portsea in Portsmouth.
According to the 1891 Census, the Lock family were residing as lodgers at 1 Cardiff Terrace in Portsea. Forty-six-year-old Amelia was living with her 5 children and one granddaughter.
At the age of 12 years on the 15th of 0ctober 1895, Alfred enlisted in the Navy as a docker. His service record describes Alfred as being only 5ft 2 inches tall, a fresh complexion and with brown hair and eyes. Alfred served on various ships from November 1893 to January 1909.
In the second quarter of 1899, Alfred married Minnie Eliza Austin at Portsea.
The 1901 Census reveals that Minnie Eliza was residing at 11 Garibaldi Street with her parents and her brothers and sisters.
By 1907, Alfred had grown to a height of 5ft 5inches tall.
According to the Irish Census of 1911, Minnie Eliza and Alfred John had been married for 12 years, having two children of which only 11-year-old Florence had been the only survivor. Alfred John was employed with HM Coastguard.
Alfred died at sea when his ship HMS Torrent, an R class destroyer hit a mine in the North Sea while going to meet a convoy on the 23rd of December 1917. 0n that day the Royal Navy lost 3 destroyers and 252 men were lost.