IWM Collections

Lieutenant Charles Otway Alexander, born 1 January 1888 in Newark, Nottinghamshire, England. If taken during World War 1, this photo will not be past the summer of 1916, when Alexander was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. He eventually reached the rank of Rear-Admiral on 10 January 1939. Alexander died on 13 April, 1970, aged 82.

Alexander was an international cricketer from Aberdeen that played for Scotland: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_Alexander The despatches of Lord French : Mons, the Marne, the Aisne, Flanders, Neuve Chapelle, the second battle of Ypres, Loos, Hohenzollern redoubt, and a complete list of the officers and men mentioned (London: Chapman & Hall, 1917), p. 323: Mention in Despatches for Lieutenant G. W. A. Alexander of 1st Bn., Gordon Highlanders [5th April 1915, following Neuve Chapelle] archive.org/details/despatchesoflord00fren London Gazette, 27 August 1915, p. 8625: “'The Gordon Highlanders. The undermentioned to be temporary Captains: -- Lieutenant G. W. A. Alexander. Dated 24th June, 1915. Second Lieutenant A. R. Davidson. Dated 22nd July, 1915.” www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29279/supplements/8625/ London Gazette, 17 November 1915, p. 11436: “The Gordon Highlanders. Lieutenant G. W. A. Alexander relinquishes the temporary rank of Captain. Dated 26th September, 1915.” www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29370/supplements/11436/ London Gazette, 30 January 1920, p. 1342: “Gord. Highrs. — The undermentioned are restd. to the estabt. 31st Jan; 1920: -- Capt. G. R. V. Hume-Gore, M.C. Capt. G. W. A. Alexander, M.C. Capt. G. MacDonald, M.C. Capt. J. Levey, D.S.Q., O.B.E. Capt. G. H. Gordon,. M.C. Lt D. M. Baird.” www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31762/supplements/1342/ London Gazette, 21 May 1920, p. 5817: “Gord. Highrs.-- Capt. G. T. Burney, M.C., to be Adjt., vice Capt. G. W. A. Alexander, M.C. 22nd May 1920. Lt. J. McA. Cunningham, M.C., is restd. to the estabt. 27th Mar. 1920.” www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31912/supplements/5817/ Post Office Aberdeen Directory, 1923-1924, p. 92: “ARMY. DEPOT GORDON HIGHLANDERS. 75th Regimental District Lieut.-Col. H. P. Burn, C.M.G., D.S.O. (Commanding officer) Captain G. W. A. Alexander, M.C Captain G. MacDonald, M.C, (Adjutant) Lieut. A. T. Curie Lieut. J. H. Stitt. M.C. Lieut. and Quartermaster -- R. Fleming, M.C, D.C.M. “ archive.org/details/postofficeab192324aber London Gazette, 21 December 1945, p. 6245: “INFANTRY. Gordons. Maj. G. W. A. ALEXANDER, M.C. (5964), retires on ret. pay on account of disability, 26th Dec. 1945, and is granted the hon. rank of Lt.-Col.” www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37401/supplements/6245/ G. W. A. Alexander seems also to have been a cricketer that played international cricket for Scotland in the inter-war years, as this report from The Scotsman in July 1928 suggests: “The seventh bowler of the innings was G.W.A. Alexander, who though successful with the ball when at Glenalmond does very little trundling nowadays, and was never even considered as a bowler for Scotland. Yet he it was, with the assistance of the wicket-keeper, who got the century maker's wicket, and when he claimed another victim a little later he had dismissed two men for 12 runs. It was a lucky hit the calling up of the Gordon Highlanders' officer, and but for his success, and the fact that C. Groves took two wickets cheaply near the end, the Irishmen would probably not have been got out on Saturday.” cricketarchive.com/Archive/Articles/14/14181.html Photograph: stats.cricketworld.com/Archive/Pictures/29/29110.html “Full name: Gilbert William Arbuthnot Alexander Born: 7th September 1895, Natal, South Africa Died: 10th April 1957, West Finchley, Middlesex, England” Cricket stats at: cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/26/26935/26935.html Wikipedia entry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_Alexander

I have a photo of him in the Hockey team in 1930 www.flickr.com/photos/16118167@N04/41354145045/in/datepos... www.flickr.com/photos/16118167@N04/40448555500/in/datepos...

www.flickr.com/photos/16118167@N04/40448555500/in/datepos...

Congrats on Explore! ⭐ January 15, 2024

Congrats on Xplore!!

CWGC details Name: BUTLER, EDWARD LIONEL AUSTIN Initials: E L A Nationality: Australian Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F. Unit Text: 12th Bn. Date of Death: 23/08/1916 Additional information: Son of Edward Henry and Fanny Amy Butler, of Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: III. A. 10. Cemetery: PUCHEVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=510923 Grave Marker can be viewed here twgpp.org/information.php?id=2043905

Descendant of Gamaliel Butler? Yes Known as Leo, b. 10/04/1883, d. 23/08/1916. Fourth generation in family law firm, Butler, MacIntyre and Butler, apparently played first class cricket for Tasmania. A memorial window was erected at St Davids Cathedral, Hobart. Dedicated to his memory on 16/08/1917. next of kin E.H. (Edward Henry) Butler (Father), Solicitor, Hobart. b1851, d1928. Mother - Fanny Amy Butler nee Clerk. Brother - Angus Leicester Butler, b1885, d1965 (wife Marjorie nee Ellis) no children. A cousin of my Gran. www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/pozieres-windmill/aif-memorial...

Leo may have seen the same trenches as my Grandfather's brother!

Although in different Battalions, they moved backwards and forwards gaining ground, then loosing it again, with sometimes heavy loss of life on both sides, for a war that Paul Baumer in "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Remarque, could not see the point of!

See images of the gravesites at PUCHEVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY here..
www.flickr.com/photos/spelio/6921297040/in/photostream/

www.flickr.com/photos/hwmobs/9757832354/

Help piece together the Life Stories of more than 8 million men and women who made a contribution during the First World War at www.livesofthefirstworldwar.org/