The AIF Project

James Allan ALEXANDER

Regimental number3353
Place of birthBodalla New South Wales
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationStudent
AddressIrrigation Commission, Leeton, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Next of kinFather, Harry Robert Alexander, c/o Irrigation Commission, Leeton, New South Wales
Enlistment date2 January 1917
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name55th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/72/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A68 Anchises on 24 January 1917
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll53rd Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal (Altered from Distinguished Conduct Medal)


Recommendation date: 7 September 1918

FateReturned to Australia 23 June 1919
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: 10 October 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.