Subject

Andrew Behan has kindly carried out some research on this man: Sir Alfred Hamer Warren, O.B.E. was born on 6 February 1856 in Poplar, London and educated at the local Wesleyan School. In 1896 he married Jane Macey Castle in Poplar and the 1901 census shows them living at 132 High Street, Poplar. His occupation was shown as a Commercial Traveller (Wine). The 1911 census shows him living with his wife, their son Leonard Alfred Warren and daughter Dorothy May Warren. His occupation was a Building Society Secretary and Accountant. He was a member of Poplar Borough Council, serving as Mayor of Poplar from 1913-1918.

In the June 1918 King’s Birthday Honours he was both knighted and made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.). The London Gazette entries for these two honours summarise his activities in support of the war effort during the First World War. For the knighthood "For public and local services. Mayor of Poplar for the last five years. Responsible, at the invitation of the Army Council, for raising the 239th Troop Royal Engineers. Inaugurated and raised the 1/6th London Regiment, Poplar Volunteer Battalion, and provided the equipment and upkeep. Chairman of the Local Tribunal. Chairman of the Local War Savings Committee. Founded a voluntary fund for alleviating distress caused by air raids. Chairman and Treasurer of the War Hospital Supply Depot." and for the O.B.E. "Chairman of Local Tribunal, National Relief Fund and Belgian Refugees' Committee, Poplar." 

At the 1918 General Election he was elected to Parliament as member for Edmonton in Middlesex, standing as a Conservative supporter of David Lloyd George's coalition Government. He stood again at the general election of 1922, but was defeated by the Labour Party candidate, Frank Broad. Active in the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, he served as its Grand Master, and was also president of the National Conference of Friendly Societies. His wife died on 29 May 1926 at their home that by now was at Mountain Ash, Felstead Road, Wanstead, Essex. He also died there, aged 71 years, on 1 August 1927. His estate totalled £10,613-0s-4d.

It is somewhat of a surprise that his name is shown on the Upper North Street School memorial as just Alfred H Warren O.B.E. and no mention of the Knighthood title, considering that both honours were awarded at the same time.