Alfred Sparks was born in Wandsworth, Surrey, on 17 April 1866, and joined the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd Class on 26 August 1881. Advanced Able Seaman in H.M.S. Northumberland 18 December 1884, and Leading Seaman aboard H.M.S. Nile 1 October 1891, he transferred to Her Majesty's Coastguard as Boatman at Stubbington (Newhaven) 10 November 1894.
