Pickup, AJ

Lieutenant Alfred James Pickup

Born on October 21^st 1887, Alfred was the youngest of four children of barrister James Pickup and his wife, Louise. He joined the College in September 1900, shortly before his thirteenth birthday, and was a pupil for the next five years. Having left in the spring of 1905, whilst a member of the Modern Remove, he took up a position working as a bank clerk. He was also a keen rugby player, having been in the 1^st XV during his final year at the College, and whilst working in the bank was captain of the Three Banks R.F.C. as well as, in 1911, playing for the United Banks against both Kent and Middlesex. In 1912 he changed his life drastically, sailing across to Canada, ultimately settling near Vancouver, where he worked as a prospector for the government.

In early August 1914 war was declared in Europe, and upon hearing this Alfred returned to England as soon as he could; extraordinarily by the end of October he had not only returned to London but had then volunteered as a member of the Artists Rifles and was already serving in France. After a short period at the front he returned to England to take up a commission, being gazetted to the Yorkshire Regiment with whom he returned to France in May 1915. Over the next several months he was wounded twice, at Festubert and Armentieres, as well as commended for special gallantry at Givenchy. In the early hours of September 26^th he was killed whilst leading his men down the Hulluch Road, near Loos. At the time of his death he was serving as temporary Lieutenant, awaiting full confirmation of his promotion.