In Memory of Second Lieutenant GORDON R. ALEXANDER 2nd Bn., Royal Sussex Regiment attd. 13th Bn., East Surrey Regiment who died age 31 on 24 April 1917 Son of James and Florence Alexander, of 52, Redcliffe Square, South Kensington, London. Former Fencing Champion. Remembered with honour FIFTEEN RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-PLOUICH *Second Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment attached 13th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Killed in action 24th April 1917. Aged 31. Son of James and Florence Alexander, of 52, Redcliffe Square, South Kensington, London. Former Fencing Champion. Buried in FIFTEEN RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-PLOUICH, Nord, France. Plot IV. Row I. Grave 12. Member of the Exchange. Extract from the Stock Exchange Memorial Book - SECOND LIEUT. GORDON REUBEN ALEXANDER, Royal Sussex Regiment, attached 13th East Surreys, was born in 1885 and educated at Harrow. He became a member of the Stock Exchange, and of his father's firm, J. M. Alexander and Co. in 1908. A keen all-round sportsman, he was a member of the Corinthian Yacht Club, the Felixstowe and Coombe Golf Clubs, and the Sword Club. He won several trophies on the links, was Amateur Foils Champion of Great Britain, and took part in the Olympic Games. Immediately on the outbreak of war he enlisted in the i oth (Stock Exchange) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, refused the commission that was offered to him in that regiment, and went to France with them in 1915 as a N.C.O. In the following year he accepted a commission in the 10th East Surreys, was transferred to the Royal Sussex and afterwards attached to the 13th East Surreys. He was killed on 24 April, 1917, in an attack on Villers Plouich, north of Peronne. His death is thus described by a sergeant in his Company: Everything went very well in the attack, and we captured the first machine gun and many prisoners. After the objective was gained and the men were digging in under his supervision, one was badly hit and Lieutenant Alexander told a man to go to his assistance, but went himself instead as there was a lot of shelling, and while bandaging the man they were both killed by a heavy shell." The same sergeant relates how on one occasion when he went round the Company for volunteers for a risky enterprise, the men volunteered " too freely" on learning that Alexander was in charge. " He happened to overhear some of it and told me afterwards that it was the greatest satisfaction he got out of the war—it paid him for everything." “He died the death of a hero," wrote a brother-officer, " and deserved the V.C. He was a man absolutely without fear and commanded the respect and affections of his Company to such an extent that I think every man would have cheerfully died for him." The Padre of his battalion wrote to his father: “We all loved him, and the camaraderie that existed between him and the other officers was really extraordinary. It was just like him to give his life in looking after one of his men." “He was a very gallant officer and liked by all," wrote his Commanding Officer. Second Lieutenant Alexander was mentioned in Dispatches “for gallant and distinguished service in the Field."
2ND LIEUTENANT G. R. ALEXANDER Royal Sussex Regiment Aged 31 April 24th, 1917 Only son of James M. Alexander, Stockbroker, and of his wife, Florence Alexander, of 44 Earl's Court Square, S.W. Member of the Stock Exchange, 1908. Amateur Foils Champion of Great Britain, 1913. 2nd Lieutenant Alexander enlisted as a Private in the l0th Royal Fusiliers in August, 1914, and went to France with them in the following June. In January, 1916, he obtained a Commission in the East Surrey Regiment and then transferred to the 14th Royal Sussex. He returned to France in June, 1916, being then attached to the 13th East Surreys. He was instantaneously killed by a shell at the village of Villers Plouich while attending to a wounded man. He was mentioned in the Despatches of February 28th 1918. A brother-officer wrote to his father His Sergeant wrote Another brother-officer wrote http://www.archive.org/stream/harrowmemorialso05warn/harrowmemorialso05warn_djvu.txt
The medals and Comemmorative Plaque of 2/Lt Gordon R. Alexander are held in the Museum of The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment at Clandon Park, Guildford
Thank you qrsrmuseum for that and welcome ! Do you have a picture of them by chance ? ... I'd love to see them ... but I'm too far away to visit ! Annie
