Kenneth J. Alford

Frederick Joseph Ricketts
Major F.J. Ricketts, psm, R.M.
Born	21 February 1881 Ratcliff, London, England
Died	15 May 1945(1945-05-15) (aged 64) Reigate, Surrey, England
Nationality	British
Other names	Kenneth J. Alford
Occupation(s)	British Army WO1 Bandmaster; Royal Marines Major Director of Music; composer, arranger
Known for	British March King

Frederick Joseph Ricketts (21 February 1881 – 15 May 1945) was a British composer of marches for band. He wrote music under the pen name Kenneth J. Alford. He was a Bandmaster in the British Army, and Royal Marines Director of Music. Conductor Sir Vivian Dunn called him "The British March King."^[1] Ricketts frequently used the saxophone in his music. This led to the instrument being used in all military bands.

1. ↑ "MarchDB". Archived from the original on 25 June 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2012.