Alfred was born at  Danesmoor, Derbyshire in 1892, son of Edward Bacon a stationery engine stoker and Elizabeth Bacon (nee Cutts).  The 1891 & 1901 Census show the family living at Nutt's Houses, Danesmoor, near Claycross.  Alfred had six elder brothers - William a colliery labourer, Edward a colliery lad, Frederick, Arthur, Samuel and Ernest, as well as an elder sister Laura and a younger brother named Victor.  In 1895, when Alfred was only three years old, his father Edward died so Alfred's widowed mother Elizabeth took a job as a charwoman to help support the family.

The family seem to think that Alfred was under age when he volunteered, enlisting at Chesterfield, but his service records indicate that he attested at Chesterfield in October 1910, aged 18 years and 7 months.  His attestation paper states that he had resided out of his father's house for the previous three years, was unmarried and his previous occupation was given as coalminer.  Height 5'5" Weight 140 lbs, chest girth 37", complexion 'fresh', and eyes 'hazel'.   So Alfred was a regular soldier who had actually served for some four years before the commencement of the first world war. By December 1910 he was serving at Plymouth, Devon and in April 1911 was admitted to the Devonport Hospital with tonsillitis.  In April 1914 he was stationed at Fleetwood.  He served at home in the UK until September 1914, being drafted to France on 8th September 1914.  Only five weeks later, on the 20th October 1914 Alfred was reported missing.  Alfred had been taken prisoner of war by the Germans.  It was not until 5th January 1918 that the War Office informed the Officer i/c Infantry Records that a report had been received from the Geneva Red Cross.  A 'German List' had been found and Alfred was named among the dead, having died in the Rifle Range Hospital at Pers Laz, Celle on 11th November 1917. The letter requested that his next of kin should be notified accordingly.  His family believe Alfred was shot by the Germans, for refusing to work in the notorious salt mines which were a route to certain death.

Alfred's  personal effects  and medals were forwarded to his elder brother Frederick of Albert Avenue, Jacksdale.