Alfred Allen Andrews 1916-1969.
Photographed here in front of the “Eureka” fishmongers in West Street, now occupied by C. E. Evans, are Cecil Turner (proprietor) and Alfred Allen Andrews. Born in 1916 at No1 Pond View Cottages in the Soke, Alf began his employment as a fishmonger as a young man and would continue to work in the shop for practically the rest of his life. In July 1940 Alf enlisted into the British Army (Gunner - Royal Artillery). He was posted to Borneo and was shortly reported as ‘missing in action’. It was not until September 1943 that he was found to be alive as a prisoner of War in Kutching Sarawak camp in Borneo. The camp was liberated by the Australian 9th Division, when, due to his severe injuries Alf was shipped to Australia for hospitalisation. After a long period of treatment and recuperation Alf was returned home to his family in Alresford where he continued to work as the local fishmonger with his wife Lucy who worked next door in the adjoining greengrocer shop.