Soldier Record

Before being conscripted, Alexander Low had been a tramway driver employed by Glasgow Corporation. He had tried to volunteer for service early in the War but was rejected on account of his poor eyesight and because he did not meet the minimum size requirements. However, by the middle of the War, the formerly stringent physical standards for recruitment had been reduced and these defects appear to have been considered of little consequence. Alexander was drafted straight to the front line despite having been declared "fit for garrison duty only". He subsequently served throughout 1918 at the front and was, briefly, part of the Army of Occupation in Germany after the Armistice was signed. He was de-mobilised in 1919 whilst home on leave. He later volunteered for service in the Second World War but was rejected on account of his age.

Most of Alexander's mementoes and photographs appear to have been lost and he subsequently spoke little of his service. However, he dictated an account of his experiences to his wife some ten years later which she ensured was retained. This account was later transcribed by his grandson. He has visited many of the places mentioned in his grandfather's account and the graves of his fallen comrades