Alfred was educated at Wrekin College, Shropshire, from 1935-1937 following which he worked for a time in Liverpool and eventually qualified as a Radio Officer in the Merchant Navy.
At 20:20 hrs on 18th December 1940 the unescorted SS Napier Star was hit amidships by one of two torpedoes fired by U-100, 321 miles from Rockall.
The ship sank by the stern after being hit by a coup de grâce at 20:49 hrs.
The master, fifty-eight crew members and twelve passengers were lost.
Nine crew members, one gunner and four passengers were picked up by the Vaalaren and landed at Liverpool on 23rd December.
Alfred was on his second voyage when his ship was lost and he was last seen alive in the ship's lifeboat in the North Atlantic on Wednesday 18th December 1940.
He was 20 years old and is commemorated on the Merchant Navy Memorial, Tower Hill, London. Son of Alfred Rowland & Gertrude Rowland of West Kirby, Cheshire.
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