Alfred Lees was born on 5th February 1908 at Warrington, the son of Alfred Lees, who was born in Leeds, and Lucy (nee Browne) who was born in Warrington. At the time of his birth, Alfred junior had two older siblings, Lucy, and William.
The 1911 census recorded the family as living at 460, Warrington Road in Glazebury. The father was an iron moulder of agricultural implements. The Lees family comprised the parents and four children, Lucy, William, Alfred, and his younger brother Thomas, all born in the Warrington area.
During the years of the First World War, four more children were born: Lily, Cyril, Harold, and Dorothy. Sadly, Harold died aged one year in 1916.
The 1921 census showed the family as having moved to 51, Forshaw Street in Warrington. The father was previously employed by Smethurst and Sons at the Old Penketh Foundry but was out of work. The three eldest children were also out of work (in a cotton mill and a wireworks), and so 13-year-old Alfred was the only breadwinner with a job as a milk boy for Pilling’s the milk dealer on Cobden Street off Orford Lane in Warrington.
In 1931 Alfred married May Woodward Foster, who was born at Whitley.
In 1932 their son Edward Alfred was born.
The 1939 Register recorded Alfred and May and their son living at 2, Goose Lane in Hatton. Alfred was employed as a grocer’s assistant. His father and mother still lived in Warrington, passing away in 1959 and 1971 respectively.
Alfred Lees passed away in 1986 in Sale, Trafford, May having passed away sixteen years previously. He was 78 years old.
It is known that Alfred Lees served in the Second World War, as his name appeared in the Service Register section of the Electoral Roll for Hatton in May 1945. His name is also mentioned in an article in the Parish Magazine for Daresbury in August 1946, when presentations were made to the men and women of Hatton who had served in H.M. Forces.
However, it is not known in which branch of H.M. Forces he served.