Ernest Wright Alexander VC

Name: Ernest Wright Alexander

Conflict: First World War

Gazetted: February 18, 1915

Service: Army

Place/date of birth: Liverpool/October 2, 1870

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Major (later Major General)

Date of bravery: August 24, 1914

London Gazette citation:

Lieutenant-Colonel Ernest Wright Alexander, 119^th Battery, Royal Field Artillery.

For conspicuous bravery and great ability at Elouges on 24th August, 1914, when the flank guard was attacked by a German corps, in handling 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overwhelming odds with such conspicuous success that all his guns were saved, notwithstanding that they had to be withdrawn by hand by himself and three other men. This enabled the retirement of the 5th Division to be carried out without serious loss.

Subsequently Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander (then Major) rescued a wounded man under a heavy fire, with the greatest gallantry and devotion to duty.

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: CB, CMG

Place/date of death: Kingsbridge, Devon/August 25, 1934

Grave/memorials: Putney Vale Cemetery and Crematorium, Wimbledon, London; Royal Artillery Chapel, Woolwich, London

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Dix Noonan Webb, London, 1999

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum