Regimental number | 3353 |
Place of birth | Bodalla New South Wales |
Religion | Presbyterian |
Occupation | Student |
Address | Irrigation Commission, Leeton, New South Wales |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 18 |
Next of kin | Father, Harry Robert Alexander, c/o Irrigation Commission, Leeton, New South Wales |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 55th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/72/4 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A68 Anchises on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 53rd Battalion |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal (Altered from Distinguished Conduct Medal) Recommendation date: |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry in their capacity as linesmen during the attack on PERONNE on the 1st and 2nd September 1918. At the time when the advance was actually taking place Signallers SULLIVAN and ALEXANDER carried out a line following five hundred yards behind the advancing troops, under intense artillery and Machine Gun fire. This line was laid to an advanced report centre, and shortly afterwards they carried forward another line to the Front line Headquarters, although the laying of this line entailed their going over ground under direct enemy observation which drew very heavy Machine Gun fire upon them. Throughout the ensuing 36 hours these two men maintained this line under the most adverse conditions being almost continually at work repairing breaks, and on two occasions had to relay the whole line when it was smashed to pieces by artillery fire. It was mainly owing to their great courage and devotion to duty that communication between the front line and Battalion Headquarters was maintained almost continuously throughout the operations.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115 Date: |
Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |