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Those Who Came After The Original 500

Walter Ernest Alexander Regt # 1504
Photo donated by John Ling

Walter was the son of Robert Alexander and Sarah Ann Hatch. He was 23 years of age when he joined the Royal Newfoundland Regiment on April 30th, 1915. He stood 5'5" and weighed 129 lbs. He had brown hair and grey eyes. He gave his address as Boswarlas, Port au Port, Newfoundland. He listed his mother, Annie, as next-of-kin and her address as Bergh-Apton, Norfork, England.
He listed his occupation as Fireman and stated that he had 12 months previous service with the Special Reserves, 3rd Batt, Norfork.

Walter left St. John's aboard the S.S. Calgarian on June 19, 1915. He was quickly promoted to L/Cpl on November 4th, 1915, probably due to his previous military service. On 1 Feb 1916, he reenlisted for the duration of the war with E Coy, 1st Newfoundland Regt. He embarked Devonport, 13-3-1916 for Egypt, transferred to B.E.F. and disembarked Marsailles, 3-4-1916
Walter fought in the Battle of the Somme where he was fatally wounded and evacuated to the 4th Casualty Clearing Station.

L/Cpl Walter Ernest Alexander died of his wounds on Jul 5th, 1916 and was buried in the Beauval Communal Cemetery

Pte Alexander's Will

The photos below were donated by John Ling of Bergh Apton.

The women in the photo are Walter's mother and his sister.
The family lived here until 1915.
Walter's father was a farmworker (traction engine driver) and worked
on the farm at Washingford House, to which this was a tied-cottage.

Mereside Cottage in Brooke, Norfolk.
Brooke is about two miles from Bergh Apton and was where his parents
were living when they received the telegram to advise that Walter had been killed.

Holly Hill, on Sunnyside, Bergh Apton.
This was where his parents moved soon after he had
been killed, and where they lived out their lives.

The photos below were provided by the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff (London, England).
They depict the rededication ceremony for the war memorial in Bergh Apton.
The dedication took place on 25 May 2007 and Lieutenant Colonel Lee Nickerson
represented the Canadian High Commission.

The War Memorial after the re-dedication ceremony

The Canadian Wreath, laid by Lt. Col. Lee Nickerson

King's Colour (right) and Regimental Standards at the dip
during Minute's Silence following Last Post

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Military Records Contact: Daniel B. Breen

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