Mr Alfred Henry Whitford was born in St Peter's Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands on 9 December 1872.

He was the son of George William Whitford (1840-1891), an engineer, and Frances Elizabeth Wheeler (1841-1910). Both his parents were Guernsey-natives and had married around 1860 and produced seven known children: Silas James (b. 1862), George John (b. 1866), Frances Eliza (b. 1867), Frederick Charles (b. 1869), William John (b. 1871) and John Charles (b. 1875). The family moved to Southampton, Hampshire sometime after Alfred's birth.

Alfred and his family appear on the 1881 census of England living at 27 St Mary's Road, Southampton. His father died in 1891 and his mother and brother are listed on the 1901 census living at 2 Brinton's Road, Southampton, with Alfred absent, most likely at sea.

He was married in 1906 to Louisa Ellen Browning (b. 1873), a native of Southampton but apparently had no surviving children. The couple appear on the 1911 census living at 33 Richmond Street, Southampton and Alfred is described as a ship's steward.

When he signed-on to the Titanic, on 4 April 1912, Whitford gave his address as 33 Richmond Street, (Southampton). His last ship had been the Olympic and as a second class steward he received monthly wages of £3, 15s.

Whitford died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

His widow Louisa was remarried before the close of 1913, becoming Mrs John Page, but that marriage was short-lived and she again married in 1927, becoming Mrs Henry Hardiker. She passed away in 1940.