Hi there,
My father-in-law has Foords in his tree so your post caught my eye - I can't see any connection but did see this in the 1861 census:
RG9; Piece: 561; Folio: 54; Page: 18
Civil Parish: Hastings St Mary Magdalen
Ecclesiastical parish: Chichester
County/Island: Sussex
32 Norman Rd West
White Hart Inn
Charles Foord, Head, Mar, 32, Retailer of Beer, born Battle
Mary A Foord, Wife, Mar, 32, born Battle
Emerly E Foord, Dau, 11, Scholar, born, St Mary Magdalene
Charles H Foord, Son, 8, Scholar, St Mary Magdalene
Elfred G Foord, Son, 6, Scholar, St Mary Magdalene
Charlotte Foord, Dau, 4, Scholar, St Mary Magdalene
Sarah Foord, Dau, 2, St Mary Magdalene
All born Sussex - plus some servants
Could this be your missing Alfred - especially as the enumerator has written Emerly for Emily - Elfred for Alfred?
The family are still together in 1871 (Charles having remarried), but "Elfred" is missing, so possibly yours!
Of course the only way to really find out would be to order his birth certificate, but I'd say this entry is a strong contender

Kind Regards,
Karen