Soldier Record

Ernest Wright Alexander went to France with the British Expeditionary Force in August 1914, in command of the 119th Artillery R.F.A., and won the Victoria Cross for his distinguished gallantry in action at Elounges near Mons on August 22nd 1914. An account of the action states that although attacked by an enormous force of Germans, the guns were saved, being pulled out of danger by hand by Major General Alexander and three of his men. The work of this battery greatly assisted tge retirement of the 5th Division, enabling it to be carried out without serious loss. Major General Alexander, who handled his battery against overwhelming odds with conspicuous sucss smewhat later rescued a wounded man under heavy fire. He was the first person in history to be awarded a VC whilst still alive.