Alfred Lennon

Infobox Person
name = Alfred 'Alf' Lennon


image_size =
caption =
birth_date = birth date|1912|12|14|df=y
birth_place = Liverpool, England
death_date = death date and age|df=yes|1976|4|1|1912|12|14
death_place = Brighton General Hospital, Sussex, England
occupation = Office-boy, bellboy, Steward, Kitchen Porter, Dishwasher
spouse = Julia Lennon (née Stanley) and Pauline Lennon (née Jones)
parents = Jack and Mary 'Polly' (née Maguire) Lennon
children = John Lennon (with Julia) David Henry, and Robin Francis (with Pauline)

Alfred "Alf" Lennon (14 December 1912 – 1 April 1976) was the father of English musician John Lennon. He spent many years in an orphanage—with his sister, Edith—after his father died. Alf was known as being very witty and musical throughout his life—he sang and played the banjo—but not as being very dependable. Although always known as Alf by his family, he later released a record as Freddie Lennon, and was quoted in newspapers under that name.

Alf and Julia Stanley married in 1938. Lennon was their only son together, but Alf was often away at sea during World War II, so consequently did not see much of Lennon during his infancy. Alf later found out that Julia was pregnant with another man's child and offered to look after Julia, Lennon and the expected baby, but Julia rejected the idea. Alf had very little contact with Lennon until Beatlemania, when they met again, but later had intermittent contact with each other. Alf died in Brighton, where he had gone to live after marrying the 19-year-old Pauline Jones.

The Lennon family

James Lennon (b.1829) and Jane McConville (b.1831)—Alf's grandparents—moved with their respective families to Liverpool in the 1840s. Spitz 2005. p17.] James and Jane were both from County Down, Ireland, now known as Northern Ireland, and were married in St. Anthony's Chapel, Scotland Road. Liverpool, on 29 April 1849. James was a warehouseman/Cooper at the time. They had seven children together: Elizabeth (b.1850) James, John "Jack", William George, Richard Francis, Joseph (b.1865) and Edward. Jack Lennon (b. 1855)—a shipping clerk/bookeeper—is the father of Alf Lennon and the grandfather of John Winston Lennon. [http://brakn.com/jack1.html John Lennon's Family Tree] brakn.com - Retrieved 10 June 2007]

In 1888, Jack married Margaret Cowley (from Liverpool) and they had two children: Mary Elizabeth Lennon, and Michael Lennon. Margaret died giving birth to Michael (who also died 15 days later) on 19 August 1892. [http://brakn.com/jack1.html John Lennon's Family Tree] ] In 1901, Jack and his daughter, Mary, were living at 3 Lockhart Street, Liverpool, with their housekeeper, Mary "Polly" Maguire. Jack and Polly lived as man and wife even though they weren't yet married. They lived in the Toxteth Park area of Liverpool, and the first four children they had together were all born there: George Lennon (1905, in Denton Street) Herbert Lennon (1908) Sydney Lennon (1909) and Alfred Lennon (1912) were born at 27 Copperfield Street. [http://brakn.com/jack1.html John Lennon's Family Tree] ] [ [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Denton+Street,+Liverpool&sll=54.162434,-3.647461&sspn=17.81631,26.630859&ie=UTF8&ll=53.38425,-2.969055&spn=0.004415,0.006502&z=17&om=1 Denton Street, Liverpool] google.co.uk/maps - Retrieved 26 October 2007 ] Jack eventually married Mary (Polly) Maguire in 1915, after they had moved to Elmore Street, Everton. One of the witnesses at the wedding was Polly's sister, Catherine Seddon. Daughter Edith Lennon was born that year and then Charles (21 November 1918—26 May 2002).cite web |first=Spencer |last=Leigh |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/charlie-lennon-652553.html |title=Charlie Lennon - Beatle's uncle who worked as a Liverpool chef |publisher=The Independent |date=2002-05-28 |accessdate=2008-05-27] The Lennons moved back to Toxteth Park, and Jack died in 1921, at 57 Copperfield Street. Spitz 2005. p21] He is buried in a common and unmarked grave (along with five unknown adults and three children) in the Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool. [http://brakn.com/jack1.html John Lennon's Family Tree] ]

Polly couldn't read or write, but was reported to be very humorous and supposedly had psychic abilities. After Jack had died, Polly did not have enough money to keep the whole Lennon family together, so she placed two of her children, Alf and Edith, in the Bluecoat School Orphanage. It was situated just around the corner from Newcastle Road (where Julia Stanley lived). [http://triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/beatles/unclecharlie.shtml Mersey Beat: Uncle Charlie] triumphpc.com - Retrieved 30 January 2007 ] Polly died on 30 January 1949. [http://triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/beatles/unclecharlie2.shtml Mersey Beat: Uncle Charlie-2] triumphpc.com - Retrieved 30 January 2007 ]

The urban legend

It has often been claimed (by the Lennon family) that Alf's grandfather was a professional singer, a ship's cook, and that he emigrated to America, and that Alf's father, Jack Lennon, became a "refined" British minstrel, who toured America with 'Roberton's Kentucky Minstrels' Vaudeville troupe in the late 1800s. [http://www.lennon.net/timeline/1940.shtml The Lennon’s timeline] lennon.net/timeline - Retrieved 30 January 2007 ] It is also claimed that Jack's first wife was an American, who died during childbirth after they had both moved back to Liverpool. This has been proven—by checking birth certificates, the 1861, 1871, and 1901 censuses—to be false. [ [http://www.findmypast.com/home.jsp Family history in the making] findmypast.com - Retrieved 3 November 2007 ] [ [http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/ General Register Office] gro.gov.uk - Retrieved 3 November 2007 ] [ [http://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/?o_xid=29007&o_lid=29007&offerid=0%3a7935%3a0 Search for records about your ancestors] ancestry.co.uk - Retrieved 3 November 2007 ]

Alfred Lennon

Alfred Lennon (always called 'Alf' by his family) was known as being happy-go-lucky, and "couldn't resist having a good time". Spitz 2005. p21] Alf had rickets as a child and wore leg braces, which led to his growth being stunted at 5'4". [http://www.lennon.net/familytree/sub/alfred_lennon.shtml Freddie’s youth] lennon.net/familytree - Retrieved 1 February 2007 ] In 1927, Alfred auditioned for a children's music hall act, "Will Murray's Gang", at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. Having passed the audition he ran away from the orphanage and joined the show. Alf travelled with the troupe for a time before being discovered in Glasgow and returned to the orphanage, where he was severely punished. Alf was known as being always quick with a joke or a witty line, but never held a job for any length of time. When he was 15-years-old he left the Bluecoat orphanage and found a job as an office-boy, but preferred to visit Liverpool's many vaudeville theatres and cinemas, where he knew the usherettes by name. Cynthia Lennon – “John” 2006. p53.] His brother Sydney often lent money to Alf, after Sydney got a job in a tailor's shop. Spitz 2005. p21]

Julia Stanley

It was at the 'Trocadero' club (a converted cinema on Camden Road, Liverpool) that Alf first saw an auburn-haired girl with a bright smile and high cheekbones; Julia Stanley. Spitz 2005. pp21-22.] Although Alf did not speak to her, he saw Julia again in Sefton Park, where Alf had gone with a friend to pick up girls. Alf, who was dressed in a bowler hat and holding a cigarette holder, saw "this little waif" sitting on a wrought-iron bench. The 14-year-old Julia said that Alf's hat looked "silly", to which the 15-year-old Alf replied that Julia looked "lovely", and sat down next to her. Julia asked Alf to take off his hat, so Alf promptly took it off and threw it straight into the lake. Spitz 2005. p22.]

Alf was musical, and specialised in impersonating Louis Armstrong and Al Jolson. He played the banjo, (as did Julia) though neither Alf nor Julia pursued music professionally. (Julia would later teach Lennon how to play the banjo). Miles 1997 p30.] They spent their days together walking around Liverpool and dreaming of what they would do in the future—like opening a shop, a pub, a cafe, or a club. Spitz 2005. p23.] In March 1930, Alfred took a job as bellboy on board the Cunard passenger liner SS Montrose. He kept in touch with Julia, writing to her and meeting her whenever he docked in Liverpool. Alf was later offered a job on a whaling ship for two years—which could have earned Alf enough money to buy a house—but turned it down when he found out that Julia's father had arranged the job, so as to keep Alf as far away from Julia as possible. Pauline Lennon 1990. p27]

On 3 December 1938, eleven years after they had first met, Julia married Alf after proposing to him. Spitz 2005. pp20-21.] They were married in the Bolton Street Registry Office, and Julia wrote 'cinema usherette' on the marriage certificate as her occupation, even though she had never been one. None of Julia's family were there, but Alf's brother Sydney acted as a witness. They spent their honeymoon eating at 'Reece's' restaurant in Clayton Square (which is where Lennon would later celebrate after his marriage to Cynthia Powell) Spitz 2005. p349.] and then went to a cinema. On their wedding night Julia stayed at the Stanley's house and Alf went back to his rooming house.

Julia's family did not like Alfred at all: Julia's father said Alf was "certainly not middle class," and Julia's sister Mimi was particularly opposed to him. Cynthia Lennon – “John” 2006. p53.] Julia's father demanded that Alf present something concrete to show that he could financially support Julia, but Alf's only idea was to sign on as a Merchant Navy bellboy on a ship bound for the Mediterranean. He later worked on Ocean liners that travelled between the Greek islands, North Africa and The West Indies. Alf graduated from bellboy to steward during the months he was away, but when he arrived back in Liverpool he moved into the Stanley home in Newcastle Road. He auditioned for local theatre managers as a 'ship's entertainer', but had no success, and went back to sea. Spitz 2005. p23]

John Lennon

Julia found out that she was pregnant in January 1940. Lennon was born on 9 October 1940, in the second-floor ward of the Oxford Street Maternity Hospital in Liverpool, during the course of a German air raid in World War II. Spitz 2005. p23.] Alf first saw Lennon that November when he returned from working as a merchant seaman on Troop-transports during World War II. ”The Beatles Anthology” DVD 2003 (Episode 1 - 0:04:22) Lennon talking about Alf being a Merchant Seaman.] He sent regular pay cheques to Julia, who lived with Lennon at 9 Newcastle Road (the Stanley family's home). [ [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Oxford+Street+Maternity+Hospital+in+Liverpool&ie=UTF8&ll=53.542756,-2.971802&spn=0.56307,0.832214&z=10&iwloc=B&om=1 9 Newcastle Road, Liverpool] google.co.uk/maps - Retrieved 26 October 2007 ] Alf occasionally went back to Liverpool, but did not stay long before he was sent off on another ship. Spitz 2005. p25.] The cheques to Julia stopped when Alf went AWOL in 1943. Neither Julia nor the Merchant Navy knew of Alf's whereabouts. Julia only found out because she stopped receiving her allowance money, and the Navy wrote to her to inform her that they were looking for Alf. Spitz 2005. p25.]

Julia had started going out to dance halls in 1942, and met a Welsh soldier named 'Taffy' Williams who was stationed in the barracks at Mossley Hill. Alf blamed himself for this, as he had written letters telling Julia that because there was a war on, she should go out and enjoy herself. Spitz 2005. p25.] Julia took his advice, and often gave the young Lennon a piece of chocolate or sugar pastry the next morning for breakfast that she had been given the night before. Spitz 2005. pp25-26.] She became pregnant by Williams in late 1944, though first claiming that she had been raped by an unknown soldier. Spitz 2005. pp26-27.]

When Alf eventually came home on 13 January 1945, he offered to look after Julia, Lennon and the expected baby, but Julia rejected the idea. Alf took Lennon to his brother Sydney's house, in the Liverpool suburb of Maghull, a few months before Julia came to term. The baby girl, Victoria, was subsequently given up for adoption (after intense pressure from Julia's father and family) to a Norwegian Salvation Army Captain. Spitz 2005. p27.] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/157276.stm Lennon’s half-sister. bbc.co.uk: 24 August 1998] news.bbc.co.uk - Retrieved 30 January 2007 ] Julia later met Bobby Dykins and lived with him, but after considerable pressure from Mimi—who twice contacted Liverpool's Social Services and complained about Lennon sleeping in the same bed as Julia and Dykins—Julia reluctantly handed the care of Lennon over to Mimi. Cynthia Lennon - “John” 2006. p55.] Miles 1997 p32] Whilst Alf was away at sea, Charlie said that people used to visit the Lennon house in Copperfield Street, offering large sums of money (up to £300) if Alf would divorce Julia, but were told to "get lost" by Charlie. [http://triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/beatles/unclecharlie6.shtml Mersey Beat: Uncle Charlie-6] triumphpc.com - Retrieved 31 January 2007 ]

In July 1946, Alf visited Mimi's house at 251 Menlove Avenue and took Lennon to Blackpool for a long 'holiday'—but secretly intending to emigrate to New Zealand with him. Cynthia Lennon - “John” 2006. p56.] Julia and Dykins found out and followed them to Blackpool, and after a heated argument Alf made the five-year-old Lennon choose between Julia or him. Lennon chose Alf (twice) and then Julia walked away, but in the end Lennon, crying, followed her. Spitz 2005. p29] Alf lost contact with the family until Beatlemania, when he and Lennon met again. Spitz 2005. p30.] In 1968, Lennon told Hunter Davies that he soon forgot his father, saying, "It was like he was dead." Spitz 2005. p21]

Later life

Alf later told his version of what happened while he was AWOL (Absent Without Leave) in 1943. He claimed that he had sailed from America to North Africa, but was arrested for stealing one bottle of beer from the ship—consequently serving nine days in a military prison. After his release he became involved in various "shady deals", and was supposedly rescued from a criminal gang of Arabs. He eventually served on a troop ship from North Africa to Italy before finally boarding a ship that was making its way to England, in 1944. In 1949, Alfred's career at sea ended when he was sentenced to six months imprisonment. He had been drinking when, late at night, he saw a mannequin in a wedding dress in a shop window. He broke the window, picked up the mannequin, and danced with it in the street until he was arrested.

In 1958, when Alf was working with Charlie Lennon in The Barn Restaurant in Solihull, their brother Sydney sent a newspaper clipping from The Liverpool Echo reporting that Julia had died. A saddened Alf left Solihull for London, but kept in touch with Charlie by phone.

Alf made no real attempt to contact his son [Lennon] again until the height of Beatlemania (claiming he didn't know who they were). Alf was working as a kitchen porter at the Greyhound Hotel in Hampton, South London, when someone pointed out a photograph of Lennon in a newspaper and asked if Alf was related to Lennon. Cynthia Lennon – “John” 2006. pp238-239.] Alfred and Charlie visited one of the The Beatles' Christmas shows at the Finsbury Park Empire in London. When The Beatles were filming a scene for 'A Hard Day's Night' in the Scala Theatre in Soho in April 1964, Alf walked into Brian Epstein's NEMS office in Argyle Street with a journalist. "I'm John Lennon's father", he explained to the receptionist. When Epstein was informed, he "went into a panic", and immediately sent a car to bring Lennon to NEMS office. Spitz 2005. p497] Alf was shabbily-dressed, with his unkempt, balding grey hair greased-back. He stuck out his hand, but Lennon did not take it, saying "What do you want"?" Alf placated Lennon somewhat by saying, "You can't turn your back on your family, no matter what they've done." Their conversation didn't last long, as Lennon soon ordered Alf and the journalist out of the NEMS office. Spitz 2005. pp497-498] The Beatles' personal stories were kept out of the newspapers—by agreement with journalists who were offered exclusive stories in return—but one day Lennon opened a copy of The Daily Express and saw a photo of his father. Spitz 2005. p498]

A few weeks later, Cynthia opened the door of Kenwood (Lennon and Cynthia's home in Weybridge) to see a man who "looked like a tramp", but alarmingly, with John's face. Cynthia invited Alf in, and gave him tea and cheese on toast until Lennon came home, which he was expected to do in an hour or so. Whilst waiting, Cynthia offered to cut Alf's "long, stringy locks" of hair, which he allowed her to do. After waiting for a couple of hours, Alf left. Cynthia Lennon – “John” 2006. p239.] Lennon was annoyed when he came home, and told Cynthia (for the first time) about Alf's visit to the NEMS office a few weeks before. Cynthia Lennon – “John” 2006. pp239-240.] Lennon relented slightly and contacted Alf over the next few months, telling Cynthia that Alf was, "Alright, Cyn. He's a bit 'wacky', like me." After Christmas, in 1965, Lennon was embarrassed to hear that Alf had made a record: "That's My Life (My Love and My Home)", released on 31 December 1965. [ [http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/freddie_lennon “That’s My Life” Single] rateyourmusic.com - Retrieved 2 February 2007 ] [ [http://www.beatlemania.ca/biography/alfredlennon.htm The A and B sides of “That’s My Life” Single] beatlemania.ca - Retrieved 26 September 2007 ] Lennon asked Epstein to do anything he could to stop its release, or becoming a hit. The record never made it into the charts, and was soon forgotten. Cynthia Lennon – “John” 2006. p240.]

Pauline Jones

Three years after meeting Lennon in the NEMS office, Alf (who was then 56-years-old) turned up at Kenwood again, with nineteen-year-old student Pauline Jones, who was Alf's fiancée. Pauline had been an 18-year-old Exeter University student when she met the 54-year-old Alf in 1966. Spitz 2005. p739] They said that they were in love and wanted to get married, although Pauline's mother was horrified and totally against the idea. Alf asked Lennon if he could give Pauline a job, so Pauline was hired to help looking after Julian Lennon and also the piles of fan mail. Pauline spent a few months living at Kenwood in the attic bedroom, but Cynthia remembered Pauline, "crying all the time and arguing with her mother on the phone". Spitz 2005. p739] Cynthia Lennon – “John” 2006. pp240-241.]

Alf and Pauline grew tired of trying to convince Pauline's mother to allow them to get married, so they eloped and were married in Gretna Green, Scotland. Cynthia Lennon – “John” 2006. pp240-241.] Alf and Pauline moved to a flat in Bourne Court, London Road, Patcham (in a suburb of Brighton) before relocating to Ladies Mile Road, Brighton, in November 1969. Alf had two sons with Pauline: David Henry Lennon and Robin Francis Lennon, half-brothers whom Lennon never met. Cynthia Lennon – “John” 2006. p241.]

Death

According to Lennon's most recent biographer Phillip Norman, John exploded in rage at Alf at their final meeting in 1968, going so far as threatening to have Alf killed. Alf reacted by filing a letter with a solicitor referring to this threat, to be opened in the event he died violently.

Late in his life, Alf wrote a manuscript detailing his life story which he bequeathed to John. It was Alf's attempt to fill in the lost years that he had not been in contact with his son, and to explain that it was Julia, and not Alf, that had broken up their marriage. Lennon commented: "You know, all he wanted was for me to hear his side of the story, which I hadn't heard." [http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2004/4/13/115674.html "Lennon’s Lost Tape", The Argus: 13 April 2004] archive.theargus.co.uk - Retrieved 31 January 2007 ] By 1976, Alfred had contracted terminal stomach cancer. Pauline contacted Lennon via Apple to make sure that he knew that his father was dying. Lennon sent a large bouquet of flowers to the hospital and phoned Alf on his deathbed, apologising for his [John's] past behaviour. When Alf died, Lennon offered to pay for the funeral, but Pauline refused, and paid for the arrangements herself. In 1990, Pauline published a book called "Daddy, Come Home", detailing her life with Alf and his meetings with Lennon. [ [http://www.amazon.com/Daddy-Come-Home-Pauline-Lennon/dp/0207169969 "Daddy Come Home" book] amazon.com - Retrieved: 15 September 2007 ] Pauline later remarried, and is now known as Pauline Stone.cite web |first= |last= |url=http://www.lennon.net/familytree/sub/pauline_lennon.shtml |title=Pauline Lennon |publisher=Liverpool Lennons |date=2004|accessdate=2008-04-02]

ong sample

"In My Life" is Lennon's song about his youth in Liverpool. Alf replied to this song by releasing the single, "That's My Life", b/w “The Next Time You Feel Important”, in 1965. [http://www.geocities.com/~Beatleboy1/dbjypb.int3.html Lennon’s 1980 ‘Playboy’ interview] geocities.com - Retrieved 16 January 2007 ]
* (1965)
*audio|Alf Lennon The Next Time.ogg| “The Next Time You Feel Important”

Notes

References

*cite book | author=Cynthia Lennon!Lennon, Cynthia | title=John| publisher= year=2006 | id=ISBN 0340898283
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*Miles, Barry | title=Many Years From Now | publisher=Vintage-Random House | year=1997 | id=ISBN 0-7493-8658-4
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