Alfred's Story.
Alfred Keene is named on the Barnton Christ Church Memorial, he is with H.M.S. Cressey and with that information we find:-
National Archives Navy Ratings have two Attestation cards for Alfred Keene with date of birth 10th January, 1888, born Northwich, Cheshire. Official No’s SS104298 & K6628. Alfred would appear to have signed-on or enlisted on or about 2nd Jan. 1907.
Cheshirebmd records the birth of an Alfred Keene in Weaverham in 1887. We find Alfred Keene in the 1911 census on board his Majesty’s ship the Banshee, on page 2 of the “List of Officers, Crew and Royal Marines on Board at Sunday April 2nd 1911,” Alfred Keene, aged 23, Single, Stoker, British, Northwich, Cheshire, Church of England. (HMS Banshee was a destroyer in service from 1894 to 1912.)
C.W.G.C. record an Alfred Keene, Stoker 1st Class, Service No K/6628, H.M.S/M “E10” (“M” Submarine, “E” E-class, 10 is its number.) Royal Navy, died 21st January 1915, aged 21. Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial (11), U.K. Son of Louis Keene, of 44 Church Rd., Barnton, Northwich, Cheshire. (Alfred’s age of 21 looks wrong based on the census data and his date of birth when enlisted.)
HMS E10 was a British E-class submarine built by Vickers in Barrow-in-Furness. Commissioned in March 1914, she sailed from Yarmouth on January 18th 1915, for patrol off Heligoland after striking a navel mine, a minefield not known at that time, resulting in the loss of all 31 crew members on board, including Stoker, 1st Class, Alfred Keene aged 28.
There is a brief article on the Barnton R.o.H., Brunner Council Schools, 26th November 1915, which included the following names of lads who had enlisted with the Royal Navy:- George Birtles, William Thomas Carter, Thomas Goodier Alfred Keen (Fallen) J. T. Kellet, Ernest Mills and John Rathbone. (Note the different spell of Keen!)
Northwich Guardian 12th February 1915. Submarine Victim
The sympathy of the residents of Barnton will go out to Mr. Louis Keene of Church Road, Barnton, a shift-man in the employ of Messrs, Brunner Mond and Co., who has received a notification that his son has given his life for his country, in the submarine service. The young man, who was 21 years of age was well known in the village, - Mr. Keene has received a message of sympathy from the King and Queen and on Wednesday evening a most touching memorial service was held in Christ Church, conducted by the Vicar.
Research Bob H.
Research Bob H.