Sterling Alfredson

Sterling Alfredson (b. 23rd October, 1911) is a British-born semi-retired activist and politician. Born in Folkestone, England, he is credited for being one of the founding fathers of the Dominion of Ghost Island and Jetania.

Having snuck on board during the original evacuation in September 1939, he has been widely honoured and celebrated ever since. Arthur Burford regularly cited Alfredon as the "real" reason most of the original members survived, and how Jetania was able to become a country.

As of 2020, Alfredon is one of the only two surviving members of the original evacuation in 1939, alongside Derrick Harlock. He is also one of the oldest living men, as well as currently the oldest living Jetanie citizen.

Early life
Sterling Alfredson was born in Folkestone, England on 23rd October, 1911, and lived with his father, Wilfried (1885-1977), his mother, Esmeralda (1889-1940) and his younger brother Timothy (1919-2002). Sterling's father was a soldier in World War 1.

At the start of World War 2 in September 1939, Alfredson was told by his mother that he may have to become a soldier whilst his father and brother did reserved occupation. Not wanting to fight in the war, Alfredson snuck aboard a ship, bringing along with him a loaf of bread, a bottle of water and a fishing rod. Alfredson had boarded a ship owned by Arthur Burford, something he had not known until Burford kicked him awake whilst he was sleeping.

Burford took Alfredson and the other passengers to Ghost Island. There, Alfredson taught the others how to fish and create a fire. Sometimes, Alfredson would sail to Spain to collect goods and bring them over to his friends. On one occasion, Alfredson got lost when a high tide swept up his boat, but eventually found his way back after ending up in Portugal and finding a map.

Later years
Alfredson supported the Kuboian Independence Movement in 1984, and publicly congratulated Kuboia when it became an independent country in 1987.

Alfredson has also shown strong support for modern Kuboian culture. In 2003, he contacted television presenter and singer Ericka Streets to congratulate her on her success and asked if he could make an appearance alongside her. He was one of the attendees for Streets' private funeral following her death in November 2010.

In April 2020, Alfredson made a public appearance to comment on the COVID-19 pandemic, telling viewers "Nothing lasts forever. If we stick together, we will beat the pandemic."

Alfredson is scheduled to make an appearance at a ceremony which will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the foundation of Jetania in 2021.

Personal life
Alfredson has never been married, but had four children. He had his oldest son, Artie (1945-2019) with Marina Ainsworth. He later had a relationship with Judith Packton in 1949, and had three children with her; Esmeralda (b. 1952), Lilac (b. 1957) and Juliet (b. 1960). Alfredson has admitted that his relationships with Ainsworth and Packton were more "friendly agreements" rather than romantic commitments. Regardless, he remained close to both of them until Ainsworth's death in 1980, and Packton's death in 1983.

Speaking about his long life, Alfredson has admitted to being shocked he has lived for so long stating "If you told a younger me that I would live past one hundred, I would have thought you were pulling my leg. I thought I was not going to live to see my forties."

As of 2020, Alfredson has six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.