Military History

Alexander is listed as being killed in action on 4th June 1915. The following description of the events of that day is taken from a book called The Collingwood Battalion, Royal Naval Division: A Short History by Stanley Geary.

THE ATTACK ON JUNE 4TH.

In describing the attack on June 4th, one has to face a difficult problem. All the sources from which information could be received are not for the present attainable. Therefore, only a general outline can be given in this edition.

On the morning of June 4th, the 2nd Brigade of the Royal Naval Division were on the immediate left of the French, who held the extreme right of our line. Next to the French were the "Anson," "Hood," and "Howe," in the order named, while A, B (less 1 platoon) and D (less 1 platoon) Companies "Collingwood" respectively supported them. C Company with 1 platoon of B and 1 platoon of D were local Reserves with picks and shovels.

Half the firing line were to go over at 12 noon sharp, and the other half to remain as permanent garrison.

The Collingwood support line were to leave their support trench at noon, go up into our firing line and stand by to go over at 12:15.

From 10 to 11 a violent bombardment by our Artillery and the Fleet against the Turkish positions was effected. But at 11.30 a.m. the bombardment ceased and the Brigade moved forward to the starting line situated in a gully. Our Brigade then advanced in lines of platoons at 50 yards’ interval, with the Collingwood Battalion leading, supported by the Anson Battalion. As far as can be ascertained the following is the history of the Collingwood Battalion in its first engagement.

At the beginning the Battalion was formed up in lines of platoons at 50 yards interval, the Commanding Officer, the Adjutant, and 2 Lieuts. Jeffreys and Stephenson being in the centre. As soon as the order was given to advance, the C.O. and the Adjutant were killed, and 2 Lieut. Jeffreys severely wounded. The Battalion still pressed forward, but at about 300 yards from the Turkish trench line a withering fire was opened, and casualties became very numerous. A Company, under Lieut. Watts and Sub-Lieut. Oldridge, was sent forward into the firing line, but could make no headway, and only a few men managed to get as far as the Turkish trench, which was entered by one or two men. At 1.30 p.m. the situation was as follows: C Company (with the exception of 3rd Platoon, who had been detailed as ammunition carriers) had got into the Hood firing line. At 1.30 p.m. the order was given to retire, and they retired under heavy shell fire, with only 18 men left.

D Company, under Lieut. Ritson, of the French Mortar, after suffering heavily, retired into the Hood trenches with B Company. Lieut. Ritson, the Company Commander, was killed. Lieut. Ridsdale was killed. 2nd Lieut. John was mortally wounded. Sub-Lieut. Freyberg was killed, and Sub-Lieut. Davies severely wounded and since reported to be killed. The Battalion fell back to their original position in the gully. Later, right flank was threatened, and C Company were ordered up in support, but never returned. Sub-Lieut. Tucker and Sub-Lieut. Milroy were killed, the former about 300 yards short of the Turkish trench in a dummy trench. Afterwards relief came up, and the Battalion retired into the support line, being now very weak in strength and almost all their officers were killed or wounded. Lieut. (Company Commander) Hayes, Sub-Lieut. Milroy and Sub-Lieut. Tucker had been killed, and Lieut. Love Sub-Lieut. Rellie wounded.

E Company, 3rd Platoon D Company and 3rd Platoon B Company, under Lieut.-Comdr. West, were ordered as ammunition carriers, and went into the Hood trenches, losing about 50 per cent of their strength. At 1.30 p.m. the order to retire was given. They immediately obeyed the order, and after about 25 minutes they were ordered into our front line trenches. However, they hung on, and, although losing 95 men, suffered 1 killed and 20 wounded.

Both flanks of the Collingwood were turned, and they in their turn were forced to retire. Killed—Lieut. Church, Lieut. Hart, Sub-Lieut. McLeod, Jakins and Tucker. Wounded—Lieut.-Comdr. C.S. West, Sub-Lieuts. Wilson, Wright and Arthur L. Hayes.

Thus ended what may well be termed the fatal day for the Collingwood, 16 officers losing their lives, 8 wounded and over 500 casualties amongst the other ranks.

As this was the first action of the Battalion, and in the Mediterranean, it is impossible to give a more detailed description of the officers’ services. At the end of the War an attempt will be made to give a final account in an official form.

Upon 11th of June the Collingwood, after being rallied in the support trenches under the command of the only two surviving Sub-Lieutenants (C.J. C. Watts and K. W. J. Oldridge), were ordered to withdraw quietly and retired to the dug-outs at Backhouse Post.

On the morning of June 12th, the C.O. of the Hood suddenly started shelling, finding the range first shot, and the Turks replying from 9-10 a.m. The Turks suddenly attacked the whole line and the Collingwood were under fire for a solid hour from 9-10. The result was that we lost 3 O.C. Companies, and owing to our already heavily cut-up condition, Lieut. and Quartermaster S. Geary.

Although under fire for 2 hours, it was a great grief to the Battalion that, unable to bear their own crop, the next day they were withdrawn, and on the evening of June 8th came the breaking up of the Collingwood. It was a melancholy sight, and will be an irreconcilable blow to the hearts of all the old Battalion. The following were the four Companies as re-allotted:

A Company, to the Hoods with Sub-Lieuts. J.C. Watts, K. W. J. Oldridge and R. Ritson to the Hood Battalion.
B Company to the Howe.
C Company with Lieut. Dundas to the Anson.
D Company to the Hood.