Individual Details

shiningstar34 Alexander. — 2nd Lieut. John Alexander, South African Light Horse, was killed in action at Metz Farm, on May 15th, 1901. He was the son of Mrs. George Alexander,of Lidwells, Goudhurst, Kent, born in May, 1S80, and educated at Cranbrook Grammar School. At the outbreak of the war, 2nd Lieut. Alexander was inthe Argentine Republic where he had saved three men from drowning, and nearly lost his life in doing so. So anxious was he to serve in South Africa, that he managed to get a passage by attending to some horses, and on arrival at Cape Town, joined the South African Light Horse as a trooper. It is stated that of the whole troop of thirty, enrolled by Major Childe, only one survives the war. 2nd Lieut. Alexander was present at the actionsof Acton Homes, Spion Kop, Vaal Kranz, Hussar Hill, Monte Christo, Pieters Hill, and the Relief of Ladysmith. Having contracted severe enteric he was ordered home, but on recovering returned Nov., 1900,and in May, 1901, was given his commission. The day he was killed he was one of a party sent to surround two farm houses. He rushed into the farm at Metz, calling on the Boers to surrender, and was mortally wounded as he entered. Lieut.-Col. Byng, commanding the column reported that "had 2nd Lieut. Alexander lived, I would have recommended him for the V.C, he displayed the greatest coolness and valour in leading his men to the attack and on entering the building he offered the Boers a chance of surrendering before firing, it cost him his life." 2nd Lieut. Alexander is buried at Spring-fontein, near Philippolis. A Yorkshire cross has been erected over his grave.
ALEXANDER-On May 15, at Metz Farm, near Smithfield, Orange River Colony,Second Lieutenant John Alexander, South African Light Horse, the beloved sonof Mrs. John Alexander, of Lidwells, Goudhurst, Kent, aged 21.

Birth	22 May 1880	Great Ayton, North Riding of Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
Christen	20 Jun 1880	Great Ayton, North Riding of Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
Residence	1881	StreetAddress: Langbaugh Old House; RelationToHead: Son - Great Ayton, North Riding of Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
Residence	1891	Age: 10; EnumerationDistrict: 2; RegistrationDistrict: Cranbrook; SubRegistrationDistrict: Cranbrook; RelationToHead: Son - Cranbrook, Kent, England, United Kingdom
Military service	1899 - 1901	South Africa - Boer War
Death	15 May 1901	South African Light Horse - Boer War, Metz, Limpopo, South Africa

Father	John William Alexander (1846 - 1897)
Mother	Florence Templer (1853 - 1925)
Sibling	Elizabeth Florence Alexander (1874 - 1902)
Sibling	Frederick William Templer Alexander (1875 - 1947)
Sibling	Hebe Emily Maude Alexander (1876 - 1903)
Sibling	Maj Gen Henry Lethbridge Alexander CB CMG DSO (1878 - 1944)
Sibling	Guy Bevan Alexander (1882 - 1948)

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