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Alexander Strachan Fleming

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Updated: Oct 18, 2024


9585 Sgt

1st Battalion, Black Watch, 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Division

Age: 31

Date of Death: Killed in action 9.11.14

Buried: Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery A.5

Family history: Son of William and Mary Fleming of Glasgow. He was employed as a drapery salesman. Alexander and Williamina Fleming (nee Harley) married on 18 June 1913 and the place of marriage was Williamina's home at number 15 Victoria Road. They married according to the forms of the Baptist Church. Their daughter, Margaret Marshall Fleming, was born on 15 November 1913. He was a reservist and landed in France on 13 August 1914 with his Battalion. His wife was awarded a pension of 16/- per week on 7 June 1915.

His brother-in-law Private William Marshall Harley, 'A' Company, 7th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, was killed in action on 25 April 1915 and is listed on the Menin Gate. https://www.theypressalient.com/post/william-marshall-harley

Another brother-in law Private Charles Harley, serving with the Royal Scots Fusiliers in Salonika was awarded the Military Medal in 1918 and was mentioned in despatches three times. A third brother-in-law Private James Harley, was discharged from the 7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders on 15 December 1914, the day the battalion sailed for France, under Paragraph 392 xvi of the 1912 edition of King's Regulations. It states that a soldier can be discharged from military service if they are no longer physically fit for war. He later joined the Royal Field Artillery and was serving in France.

The action leading to his death

This action occurred during the First Battle of Ypres. One company and two platoons of the battalion were sent to Inverness Copse, a wood located on the Menin Road. It was the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders who gave the wood its name and it soon appeared on British trench maps.

(Linesman map)


‘B’ company and two platoons of ‘A’ company, the whole only ninety strong, were sent to assist the French Zouaves and the 1st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment who had been driven back into the wood following a German break through north of the Menin Road. This locality was afterwards known as Inverness Copse. They were not required as the North Lancashire Regiment had reoccupied the greater part of the ground which had been lost. ‘B’ company and the two platoons of ‘A’ strengthened their line and helped to fill up gaps caused by the earlier attack. The War Diary records that there was heavy shelling throughout the day on the 9th November with Battalion casualties being 5 killed and 5 wounded.

Medals Awarded:

1914 Star with Clasp, The British War Medal, Victory Medal

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