Alexander embarked from Southampton on the 29/01/1917. He was attached to No.8 Squadron Royal Field Company for a wireless course on the 05/03/1917. He re-joined 244 Siege Battery on the 28/03/1917 until his death on the 14/09/1917. Alexander applied for a Commission and was about to return to England to train for it when he was Killed in Action during the Battles of Ypres, (Third Ypres), 31st July - 10th November 1917 : The British finally got what they had wanted since 1914: the opportunity to attack at Ypres and breakout of the confines of the salient of trenches around it. Often known as the Third Battle of Ypres or Passchendaele, the offensive began with encouraging gains but terrible summer weather soon bogged it down. By August the offensive was clearly failing in its objectives and had descended into attritional fighting. New techniques by both sides led to agonisingly slow forward movement for the British, at enormous cost in casualties to both sides. Bad weather in October led to the battlefield becoming an impossible quagmire. Alexander was at home from the 29/06/1916 until the 28/01/1917. In his Will dated 10/02/1917 Alexander left the whole of his property and effects to his wife Mary. His trench belongings included letters, photos, a pipe, pocketbook, a badly damaged wallet, a safety razor and case, a fountain pen, purse, a cigarette case, 2 knives and a metal mirror. Alexander's wife Mary wrote a letter complaining that 2 wristlet watches and a good silver cigarette case were missing from her husband's possessions. He was educated at a Public School in Waterside and Edinburgh Training College. He served his Apprenticeship as a Pupil Teacher in Waterside School and was for a time at Annbank. On leaving the training college he received an appointment at Hurlford and subsequently on the staff at Whifflet Public School. He taught at Whifflet Public School for 5 years. The Advertiser of the 29/09/1917 described him as being "a gifted teacher with a strong personality". He was the 7th Old Monkland teacher killed in the war. The role of the Siege Battery - Siege Batteries Royal Garrison Artillery were equipped with heavy howitzers, sending large calibre high explosive shells in high trajectory, plunging fire. The usual armaments were 6 inch, 8 inch and 9.2 inch howitzers, although some had huge railway- or road-mounted 12 inch howitzers. As British artillery tactics developed, the Siege Batteries were most often employed in destroying or neutralising the enemy artillery, as well as putting destructive fire down on strongpoints, dumps, store, roads and railways behind enemy lines. Alexander is listed as GUNNER on the Coatbridge Memorial. One of the grave photos kindly donated by Mick McCann at the British War Graves website who supply photos FREE OF CHARGE
here. Alexander is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour and on the Waterside War Memorial x 2 and the Dalmellington War Memorial x 7 in Ayrshire (see photos). See Alexander's photos for his Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, another photo of Alexander's grave, Buffs Road Cemetery, his name on the Family Plot headstone at Patna Cemetery, Ayrshire, his listing in De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, his Service Records x 16, Alexander's Pension Records x 3 and the Royal Garrison Artillery Cap Badge. Alexander's grave inscription reads "UNTIL THE DAY BREAKS AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY."
