Born in Hobart in 1893, Alfred William Grubb played for Corinthians and their reserve team Corinthians Athletic, across the 1914 season. This included the Nurse Cup match between Corinthians Athletic and Wanderers, which was the curtain-raiser for the Tasmania vs Victoria match on 8 August 1914.
Alfred enlisted in February 1915, joining the 7th Infantry Brigade, 7th Field Ambulance 7, Section C as a signaller. The C section of the Field Ambulance, containing six Tasmanian soccer Anzacs, departed Australia in May 1915, intending on providing reinforcements to the battle going on at Gallipoli. After landing at Gallipoli on 13 September 1915, Alfred saw action on the Turkish peninsula throughout September, eventually falling ill, a theme that would continue throughout the war.
His brigade was part of the evacuation from Gallipoli back to Egypt later in the year. After recovering and re-grouping, Alfred then saw front line action in France although severe bouts of jaundice, dysentery and ongoing arthritis problems would plague him throughout the war, spending considerable time in hospital or working in army depots in England.
After the war, Alfred returned to Hobart working as draper’s assistant and marrying in 1922, eventually having 3 children. His soccer career did not continue, with Alfred taking up other sporting activities including golf and bowls. In the early 1930s, Alfred moved to the Victorian country town of Benalla, to become manager of the Millers department store, which still exists today.
He and his family became involved in numerous sporting and business organisations throughout the town, including becoming a councillor in the 1940s. Alfred died on 18 August 1972, aged 78.