More about Alexander Menzies Gilchrist Alcorn

Alexander has no known grave but is remembered on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial. He is believed to be the brother of Pte John Alcorn, 261087, Royal Air Force.

Alexander Menzies Gilchrist Alcorn   CZ/5593  Hawke Bn R.N.D.

“He was the best P.O. I have ever known.”  Was how an officer testified to the ability of P.O. Alexander M. G. Alcorn, R.N.D., who was killed in action on 27th September.  Deceased, who was a son of Mr and Mrs John Alcorn, 4 Stewart Street, Lochee, was 24 years of age.  The officer adds :–“He was going round cheering up the men prior to going over the top when a shell landed in the same traverse and killed him instantaneously.  He had done exceedingly good work with the company, and his death is mourned by all ranks.”  Mr Alcorn has one son serving in France and another in England.

Dundee Courier 23rd October 1918

Alexander M G Alcorn was the son of Mr and Mrs John Alcorn of 4 Stewart Street, Lochee and was employed as a Butcher. His brother, Mr Charles M Alcorn lived at 156 South Street, Perth. Another served in France and another in England. He was the brother of Mrs Mary Paton and Brother in Law of Able Seaman B Thomas Paton, Clyde Z/6251, Royal Naval Division. In June 1915 Alexander Alcorn volunteered to join the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve onboard HMS Unicorn for service in the Royal Naval Division. After initial Naval Training at the Crystal Palace in South London he was retained at the Crystal Palace and advanced to Leading Seaman. He was sent to Blandford Camp in Dorset for advanced military training in February 1916 and in June was drafted to the 2nd Hawke Battalion being formed in Blandford and advanced to Petty Officer. The 2nd Hawke was disbanded and he remained at Blandford/ From there he was drafted to the Nelson Battalion in December 1916, embarked at Folkestone for France on 18 December and reached the Battalion on 9 January 1917. Later that month he was admitted to the 20th General Hospital, Dannes Camiers with trench feet and evacuated to the Springburn Woodside Hospital in Glasgow on 31 January. After he was discharged he was granted leave 19 – 23 March, before returning to Blandford to be sent on a course at the Chelsea School of Instruction at the end of April. He remained at Blandford and, during this period, was advanced to Acting Chief Petty Officer as the Company Sergeant Major of the 4th Reserve Battalion. He was drafted to the Hawke Battalion and joined it in France on 7 April 1918 and reverted back to the Rate of Petty Officer. Alexander Alcorn was killed during the Allied advance as the German Army fell back through France and Belgium. His CO wrote to the family, ‘He was the best P.O. I have ever known…He was going round cheering up the men prior to going over the top when a shell landed in the same traverse and killed him instantly.’ He is buried in the Viset Artois Cemetery in Northern France and the Peoples Journal has a report on his death on 26 October 1918.