Wednesday 15 August 2007

Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Douglas Cameron, DSO, MC

Born on 19 April 1891 in Shanghai, China - son of Mrs. L.B. Cameron, Kent, England - enlistment records provide the following: trade as an officer in the Canadian "Permanent Force", single, currently a member of the "Permanent Force" Active Militia, no previous military service, Church of England, height of 5 feet 11.5 inches, chest of 39 inches fully expanded, ruddy complexion, blue eyes, red hair, tattoo marks on both forearms, regimental crest of L.S.H. (R.C.). on left forearm.

Joined the Lord Strathcona's Horse in Plymouth, England, on 16 October 1914 - attached to the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade on 19 August 1915 - attached to the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade as a Staff Captain on 29 January 1916 - attached to the CAC[?] Headquarters as a General Staff Officer 3 on 2 September 1916 - served as Commandant of the Canadian Corps School from 21 November 1916 to 3 March 1918 - wounded on 24 May 1917 - invalided to England on 28 May 1917 - served as Commandant of the Canadian Training School from 4 March to 24 October 1918 - transferred to the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion on 24 October 1918 - appointed commanding officer of the 38th Battalion on 26 October 1918 - struck off the strength of the 38th Battalion on 1 May 1919.

Awarded the Distinguished Service Order - official citation: "Awarded on the occasion of His Majesty's Birthday; 1919. No citation." - unit recommendation dated 6 January 1919: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations at Valenciennes."

Awarded the Military Cross.

Mentioned in Despatches on 1 June 1917 (London Gazette Nr. 30107).

Mentioned in Despatches on 28 December 1917 (London Gazette Nr. 30448).

Mentioned in Despatches on 29 March 1919.

Mentioned in Despatches on 8 July 1919 (London Gazette Nr. 31448) - no citation - unit recommendation undated, no textual description of reason for recommendation.

1 comment:

mcdryburn said...

Hi this great man was a distant relative of mine (my G.G.G. Grandfather's nephew.

I believe he died in Victoria, B.C. in 1976 and am trying to find out more information about his life after his army career. He was awareded an OBE in 1943 and retired retaining rank in 1946 to a farm in Devon.