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Alfred Percy Smith, born on 27th August 1890, was admitted to King Edward’s School in September 1902, winning a Foundation Scholarship in 1907. He was the eldest of three children, living with his father, William, a commercial traveller in the flour trade, his mother, Frances, and his siblings at ‘Kingston Lodge’, Middleton Hall Road, Kings Norton.
Alfred was a strong academic throughout his time at School, performing especially well in 1907 when he was placed 1st in his class for chemistry. As a result, he was awarded a Foundation Scholarship for the remainder of his time at the school. He featured regularly in the School Chronicles as a member of the Officer Training Corps, the Bisley shooting team and as a competitive high jumper. He was described as “a very fine high jumper, showing good style”, and was regularly placed 1st in the discipline. He continued to compete in the high jump at university level with similar success, placing 1st across the University of Birmingham in 1912 and 1913. Alfred came 1st in House shooting in July 1908, and was noted in the Birmingham Weekly Post as “a fine shot”.
After leaving School, Alfred studied Medicine at the University of Birmingham, taking his final exams in September 1914. The following month, Alfred obtained his commission as a Lieutenant with the 10th Division, Royal Army Medical Corps, serving with the 32nd Field Ambulance in France. He was promoted to Captain in April 1915, and was reported missing, presumed killed, at Suvla Bay in Gallipoli on 17th August 1915. His body was never recovered but he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli. Alfred left his estate of £158 to his father.
NB – AP Smith’s sporting medals are in the Foundation Archive (KES, Medals box)