James Ernest Alexander

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 08/09/2015 - 09:14

First Name:

James

Middle Name:

Ernest

Last Name:

Alexander

Mother's Name:

Eliza (nee Dinning)

Father's Name:

Thomas Alexander

Date Enlisted:

Friday, December 1, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

1-4 Signal Troop

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Wednesday, February 4, 1920

Place of Death:

No 4 Australian General Hospital

Cause of Death:

Syncope (Heart Failure)

Details:

James Alexander (Service No 19025) was born in Dunmore in 1886 and at the time of enlistment he was a single 30 year old bank clerk. He was sent to wireless school for training as a signaller before leaving Australia.

He embarked on HMAT A73 Commonwealth on 2nd November 1917 with 1-4 Signal Troops, June 17 Reinforcements. James arrived in Egypt on 10th December 1917 and his health suffered almost immediately. On 27th December 1917 he was admitted to hospital in Cairo with mumps returning to his unit on 20th January 1918. James was again admitted to hospital on 9th April 1918, 21st May 1918 and again on 4th September 1918.

From 25th September James served at the depot for signal training until 10th June 1919 when he was again admitted to hospital sick. In July 1919 he was returned to Australia arriving on 30th August 1919.

James was in hospital in Sydney undergoing surgery when he died under the anasthetic from heart failure on 4th February 1920. He is buried in Gerringong Cemetery.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, ALEXANDER J E