Commemorated: | |||
Awards & Titles: | The Most Noble Order of the Garter Companion of the Star of India Knight Grand Cross of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order Military Cross Knight of Justice, Order of St. John of Jerusalem & many others | ||
Early Life :
See also: UGLE - Famous Freemasons.See also: Freemasonry Matters.
See also: Wikipedia.
Born on December 10th, 1891 in London, England. He was educated at Hawtreys Preparatory School and Harrow School. He at one point considered becoming an artist, instead attending the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.
His portrait image is copyright Library and Archives Canada.
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
- Latvian War of Independence 1918, Europe.
- Second Mohmand Campaign 1935, North West Frontier.
- The Second World War 1939-1945, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: General Staff |
| Action : War Survivor |
Although many perished in times of national conflict and in the service of their country, many more survived including those interned as Prisoners of War. Stories of those who did survive are included as part of this site, especially those with high gallantry awards, those included against an external rolls of honour and those who had a distinguished career in wartime and military leaderhip.
Detail :
In 1911, Alexander was commissioned a second lieutenant in the British Army. Prior to the beginning of World War I he was promoted to lieutenant. At the age of 22, Alexander was placed in command of a platoon at the Western Front. He spent most of his time on the Western Front during the war. Notably he only came away from the Western Front when he was wounded, returning shortly after to resume his command. By the end of the war, Alexander had been promoted to an acting lieutenant colonel.
Between World War I and World War II, Alexander served in a variety of duty stations around the world. He was also promoted to the rank of major-general. He served largely during this time in India. He was also appointed as one of the aides-De-camp to the newly coronated King George VI. He left his command in India to participate in the King's coronation.
In 1939, after the outbreak of World War II, Alexander took command of a division serving in France. He led the division's withdrawal to Dunkirk and remained on the beach until he was certain all British soldiers had left. Back in England he was placed in charge of various defense forces around England. At one point he was made the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOCIC) of the Southern Command, which was responsible for the defense of southwest England.
In 1942, when the Germans invaded Burma, Alexander was sent to be the GOCIC of the British forces in Burma. Again, Alexander distinguished himself and was recalled to England just a few months later.
Winston Churchill placed him in the position of Commander in Chief of the Middle East Command, placing him in charge of Operation Torch which was an Allied offensive against Axis forces in North Africa. In 1943, the Axis forces in Tunisia surrendered. Alexander's forces which had been re-designated as the 15th Army group consisted of two armies, one commanded by British general Montgomery and the United States General George Patton. For the rest of the war, Alexander oversaw the Allied efforts in Italy and accepted the surrender of the German forces in Italy. By the end of the war he was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal.
Citations & Commemorations :
After World War II, King George VI, at the request of the Prime Minister of Canada, made Alexander the Governor General of Canada. The position of viceroy. Alexander represented the King in matters having to do with Canada. Later in his appointment, King George granted him more control of matters pertaining to Canada. Alexander was warmly accepted by the Canadian people. He became the first non-aboriginal chief of the Kwakiutl tribe.In 1952, Alexander returned to England at the request of Winston Churchill who wanted him to serve as minister of defense. Shortly after his return King George VI passed away. He was placed in on the Queen's Coronation committee and was charged with carrying the Sovereign's Orb in the state procession.
Alexander retired from politics in 1954. For the rest of his life he spent a great deal of time in Canada visiting family and friends. He passed away on June 16th, 1969 from a perforated aorta.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | No. |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
- | - | - |
Served as Grand Steward and as Grand Warden.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley