Albert Alfred Isenbiel was born in Woodbridge on 15th January 1890, the only surviving son of Thomas Isenbiel and Harriet Manthorpe. Albert had three elder sisters, Louisa, Ruth and Eliza. John Thomas, his only brother, died as a baby. Albert’s father, Thomas, was a jobbing gardener and the family seemed to be continually moving in search of work. When Albert was born, the family lived in Glover's Yard, Woodbridge, and by 1901 they had moved to 17 Prospect Terrace on Melton Hill where Albert stayed for most of his life. In 1911, Albert was working as a grocer’s porter.

Albert was conscripted into the army in 1916, joining the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. At that time, he was found to be unfit for service as an efficient soldier and was transferred to the 52nd Graduated Battalion (Training). He was eventually discharged from the army on 1st March 1919 due to sickness and received the Silver War Badge.

In 1939, Albert, now a general labourer, was living with his sister, Eliza, at 17 Prospect Terrace. It was here that his sister died in 1961. Albert died seven years later in 1968. Albert, Louisa and Eliza never married.