Alexander Cameron

Killed in Action on the 15/12/1914 at Lindenhoek near Ypres

The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 15/08/1914 and were part of the 13th Brigade, 5th Division. Alexander arrived on the 05/12/1914. ALEXANDER WAS THE YOUNGEST COATBRIDGE MAN ON OUR MEMORIAL TO FALL. He was 15 years old and just over 5 foot 3 inches in height and weighed just over 107 pounds when he enlisted on the 05/01/1914. He fell on the 15/12/1914 just 10 days after arriving in Belgium and this brave young man has no known grave and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium. According to the Battalion War Diary they were in trenches in Lindenhoek. It states on the 15/12/1914 : "state of our trenches horrible to stand in, men becoming very exhausted, also owing to crumbling parapets, dangerous. CASUALTIES - 1 Killed 5 Wounded". It appears young Alexander was the man killed. SEE PHOTOS x 9 FOR THE 2nd BATTALION WAR DIARY FOR DECEMBER 1914 INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING : The Battalion War Diary on Christmas Day 1914 states - St. Jans Cappell : "REST - Princess Mary's Gifts of an ornamental box containing cigarettes + tobacco + a pipe + a card of good wishes given out to every man in France. Also a Xmas Card with a portrait of H.M. King George V + of The Queen. Their good wishes is issued as a surprise to every man. Owing to the kindness of people at home great quantities of warm clothing, tobacco + eatables are issued to the troops. It is reported from the trenches that at various points during Xmas Eve + on Xmas Day the Officers + men of the BAVARIAN LANDWEHR opposed to us in this portion of the line made overtures of peace for a Xmas holiday. These were very generally accepted. At one point a football match was played between the opposing sides. Food + tobacco were exchanged + the opposing sides visited each others trenches. The BAVARIANS were reported to be looking well fed + in a good state, but in some cases in want of clothes. They are reported of been in ignorance of the present state of affairs on the Russian border to have been told that the GERMANS had won enormous victories there + that the war was to be over in a month (From hearsay evidence from Officers + others)". Sadly young Alexander never seen Christmas 1914. Also see Alexander's Service Record (1) which states he was 18 when he enlisted in January 1914. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the 1901 Census and the Newspaper clipping state Alexander was 16 when he fell. See photos for a letter from the War Office to Alexander's parents. This was sent from Lord Kitchener - "The King commands me to assure you of the deep sympathy of His Majesty and the Queen on your sorrow". Alexander is also remembered on the St. Augustine's Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for Alexander's Medal Index Card, Newspaper clippings x 2, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his name in De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial Panel List, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial, the King's Own Scottish Borderers Cap Badge, Alexander's Pension Records x 2 and Alexander's Service Records x 11 (listed as 18 when he enlisted). Finally. see photos for Alexander's sister Mary, Newspaper clippings x 4 (Coatbridge Express x 1, Coatbridge Leader x 1 and Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 2), PHOTOS x 17 FOR THE 5th DIVISION BOOK NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 1914, the 5th Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division Alexander was with when he died) and a photo of Alexander's youngest sister Mary and her husband Robert Ferguson kindly donated by his great grandson John Greenaway. ALEXANDER MAY HAVE SPENT JUST 10 DAYS ON ACTIVE SERVICE BUT THIS BRAVE YOUNG MAN WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN BY THE PEOPLE OF HIS HOMETOWN.