Colonel Walter Lorenzo
Alexander
Born at Rathvinden, Co. Carlow, 8th September, 1872. Youngest son
of George and Susan Alexander, of Erindale, Co. Carlow; husband of
Mrs. A. M. Alexander, of The Thatched Cottage, Northiam, Sussex. 2nd
Lieut, 18th May, 1892; Lieut., 28th July, 1896; Capt 29th December,
1900; Major, 4th February, 1908; Lieut.-CoL, 29th September, 1914.
Served in the Tirah Expedition of 1897-98, and was present at the
capture of the Sampagha and Arhanga Passes, the capture of Bagh, the
Dwatoi reconnaissance, the reconnaissance of the Saran Sar and
engagements of 11th November, and at Shinkamar on 20th January,
1898.
Also in the operations against the Khani Khel Chamkanis and in
the Bazar Valley (medal and 2 clasps). Awarded King Edward's Delhi
Coronation medal, 1903. Proceeded to Zeebrugge in October, 1914,
with 2nd Battn. and took part in the fighting at Ypres (wounded at
Gheluvelt).
Returned to the front in December and commanded the
battalion at the battle of Neuve Chapelle,. 12th March, 1915. Killed
by a shell at Festubert, 14th May, 1915. Buried at Le Touret*. "The
battalion has suffered an irreparable loss in the death of
Lieut.-Col. W. L. Alexander, who was killed instantaneously by a
shell while inspecting the trenches held by part of the battalion.
It seems but yesterday that we were congratulating him and ourselves
on his appointment to the command. No one could have wished to serve
under a better commanding officer, whose first thought was for the
Regiment and his last for himself. All ranks loved, respected and
honoured him."—G.H.
Source:
http://www.greenhowards.org.uk/ww1-remembrance/html-files/photos-a.htm
& Terry Curran
*The Le Touret Memorial is a World
War I memorial,
located near the former commune of Richebourg-l'Avoué,
in the Pas-de-Calais region
of France.
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