Ernest Wright Alexander VC CB CMG Croix de Guerre (Belgium) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 43 years old, and a Major in the 119th Bty, Royal Field Artillery , British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 24 August 1914 at Elouges , Belgium, when the flank guard was attacked by a German corps, Major Alexander handled 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overwhelming odds with such conspicuous success that all his guns were saved notwithstanding that they had to be withdrawn by hand by himself and volunteers led by a Captain (Francis Octavus Grenfell) of the 9th Lancers. This enabled the retirement of the 5th Division to be carried out without serious loss. Subsequently, Major Alexander rescued a wounded man under heavy fire.

He later achieved the rank of Major General.

Reference

• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• VCs of the First World War - 1914 (Gerald Gliddon, 1994)

External links

• 'Burial location of Ernest Alexander' (S.W. London)
• 'Location of Ernest Alexander's Victoria Cross' (Sold at auction)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.