 As he was under 21 years of age, the application had to be signed by his guardian, Clara Collet, who was taking care of him since his father's death.Alfred was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery a few days later, on 16 December 1915, and promoted to lieutenant on 7 July 1917.He was in India when the news reached him of his brother Walter's death at Gommecourt during the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916.