Thomas Loudon Alexander

Killed in Action on the 08/05/1917 at the 2nd Battle of Doiran, Salonika

Thomas and the Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 20/09/1915 and were part of the 77th Brigade, 26th Division when Thomas fell at the 2nd Battle of Doiran, 8th and 9th May 1917 : Due to criticism by their high command, the British made new attempts at a breakthrough. On the 8th May, after a long artillery barrage, they began another attack. The main assault started at 9 pm with five waves of British troops attacking the Bulgarian positions. After four attacks during the night of the 8th / 9th May the British were defeated and suffered enormous casualties. A Times correspondent wrote that the British soldiers called the "Boris" point "the valley of death". The artillery duel continued until the 9th May but due to heavy casualties the British had to abandon all attacks. They lost 12,000 killed, wounded and captured of which more than 2,250 were buried by the Bulgarian defenders. Thomas was reported missing at Salonika on the 08/05/1917 but his death was not confirmed until September 1918. Thomas was the organist of the High United Free Church, Airdrie and member of the Whifflet Evangelistic Instrumental Band. Thomas volunteered for service shortly after war broke out. He enlisted as a Private but after training he went to France as a Sergeant before being transferred to the Balkans where he rose through the ranks and was Commissioned to 2nd Lieutenant on the 30/09/1916. Thomas never returned home during his service. He is also remembered at the Family Plot in Old Monkland Cemetery (see photos). See photos for Thomas' Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 3, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Pension Record and the Black Watch Cap Badge. Finally, see photos x 14 for the 26th Division Order of Battle (the Division he was serving with when he died) and another Newspaper clipping from the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser 02/01/1915 (High United Free Church Roll of Honour).