Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Emma Steans, a housekeeper, and divorcee, born 1846 in Ratby, Leics. Alfred Wilford was born in 1885 in Scalford, Leics., his siblings were, Lydia, a general servant, born 1875 in Pinxton, Derbys., Walter, a schoolboy, born 1880 and Louisa, a schoolgirl, born 1884, the latter two siblings were both born in Scalford, Leics., in April 1891 the family were residing at Sandy Lane, Scalford, Leics., this being the home of Parker Wilford, an iron stone worker, born 1846 in Scalford, Leics. In March 1901 Alfred was employed as a butcher in the employ of James Allen, a butcher, born 1873 in Scalford, Leics., and his wife, Elizabeth Emily Allen, born 1871 in Ab Kettleby, Leics., and was residing as a servant at King Street, Scalford, Leics. On Friday November 16th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT NEWS.” – SCALFORD. – DEATH OF A SCALFORD SOLDIER. – News came last week that Pte. Alfred Steans had made the supreme sacrifice at the front. Pte. Steans joined up soon after the commencement of the war. He was a native of Scalford, but a few years before he joined he had been in the employ of the Holwell Iron Co., at South Witham. Much sympathy is expressed for his aged mother and other relations in their bereavement. The War Diary entry for the 30th October 1917 records. TRENCHES. Intermittent shelling during the day, much quieter at night. Hostile aeroplanes again very active, continually flying low and using machine guns.