my nan, Dorothys daughter said that there was another brother (for Dorothy) 'John' that died young, but i don't seem to be able to find him. however i don't think that Alfred is 'John' becuase of Iris being born also in 1908 but in Cuckfield, and the fact that Alfred didn't die young.
Maybe my nan was thinking of Arthur as he died aged 26 though why she would call him John is beyond me.
thinking out loud here Horace George who is Alfred James brother is the most likely candidate as he married Elizabeth Riley in Q3 1888 Uckfield
they had two children i know of:~
Horace Herbert b. 4th May 1890 Hurstpierpoint
Arthur A b.1899 Heathfield
Elizabeth died in 1911 Q4 Uckfield
Horace then married his sister in law Ada Punnett nee Penfold, on 26th Nov 1919 (Adas first husband was Arthur Punnett (Horace & Alfreds brother) b. 1873 m. 2nd Dec 1896 at Nutley Parish Church he died on 28 Nov 1898 Chelwood Common of Brights Disease, just after his son Harold was born.)
however i didn't want to attribute Alfred to Horace until i was certain after all Horace, Arthur & Alfred themseleves had cousins that were having families in the same area at the same time. i didn't know if there was another way of finding out who his parents were like baptisims records. then again i don't know what church either.
geuss i will have to wait.
just seen your last post and yes he could be Adas illegitamate child.
Herbert is the Alfred James, who you found in 1901, father and Ann M his wife was originally a Mitchell.
