Major General Ernest Wright Alexander VC CB CMG (2 October 1870 – 25 August 1934) was born in Liverpool, England and was by birth an English UK recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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He was 43 years old, and a major in the 119th Bty, Royal Field Artillery, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 24 August 1914 at Elouges, Belgium, when the flank guard was attacked by a German corps, Major Alexander handled his battery against overwhelming odds with such conspicuous success that all his guns were saved notwithstanding that they had to be withdrawn by hand by himself and volunteers led by a Captain (Francis Octavus Grenfell) of the 9th Lancers. This enabled the retirement of the 5th Division to be carried out without serious loss. Subsequently, Major Alexander rescued a wounded man under heavy fire.[1]
He later achieved the rank of major general. His medal group is held by Lord Ashcroft. He is buried in Putney Vale Cemetery.
Honours
- Victoria Cross
- Companion Of The Bath
- Companion Of St Michael And St George
- Mention in Despatches
- Knight Of The Order Of Savoy (Italy)
- Grand Officer Of The Order Of Aviz (Portugal)
- Croix de Guerre (France)
References
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29074, p. 1699, 16 February 1916. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
- Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- VCs of the First World War - 1914 (Gerald Gliddon, 1994)
- Liverpool VCs (James Murphy, Pen and Sword Books, 2008)
External links
- 'Burial location of Ernest Alexander' (S.W. London)
- 'Location of Ernest Alexander's Victoria Cross' (Sold at auction)
- Lot information from the auction
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