Alexander Gorrie Strachan

Died of enteric fever on the 18/11/1915 at West Mudros Hospital, Island of Lemnos, Greece

The 412th Field Company (2/1st Lowland) were part of the 52nd (Lowland) Division from March 1915. Alexander arrived at Gallipoli and Aegean Islands on the 15/04/1915. Alexander died of enteric fever in West Mudros Hospital on the Greek island of Lemnos. In 1915 the Division fought at the Battle of Gully Ravine (28th - 29th June), the Battle of Achi Baba Nullah (12th - 13th July), the Battle of Krithia Nullah (1st - 30th November). The war of 1914-1918 relied on engineering. Without engineers there would have been no supply to the armies, because the Royal Engineers maintained the railways, roads, water supply, bridges and transport. The Royal Engineers also operated the railways and inland waterways. There would have been no communications, because the Royal Engineers maintained the telephones, wireless and other signalling equipment. There would have been little cover for the infantry and no positions for the artillery, because the Royal Engineers designed and built the front-line fortifications. It fell to the technically skilled Royal Engineers to develop responses to chemical and underground warfare. And finally, without the Royal Engineers the infantry and artillery would have soon been powerless, as they maintained the guns and other weapons. Little wonder that the Royal Engineers grew into a large and complex organisation. The Field Company of the Royal Engineers provided technical skill and know-how in support of the fighting units of the formation known as a Division. Alexander is also remembered in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. See photos for Alexander's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls x 2, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, Alexander's Pension Records x 2 and the Royal Engineers Cap Badge.