KIA

William Alexander - known as Alexander- was born in Melbourne, in 1892, to William Wallace Drever and Ada Lambert.

Alexander enlisted at Bacchus Marsh, VIC, in the AIF, 6^th Reinforcements, 8^th Light Horse Regiment on the 17^th of February 1915, aged 23. He embarked aboard the HMAT A66 Uganda in June, disembarking in Egypt some time later.

In mid September 1915 Alexander joined the 8^th Light Horse at Gallipoli as a machine-gunner⁽¹⁾. At the end of October he was admitted to hospital, Gallipoli and transferred to hospital at Gibraltar - pneumonia. A month later he was admitted to the 3^rd London General Hospital, England - enteric fever - discharged to the 2^nd Training Battalion, No. 3 Camp in February. In April Alexander was AWL for five days - award, 24 hours detention and forfeit of six days pay - and in July was again AWL and had a falsified pass - award, 144 hours detention and forfeit 11 days pay.

Alexander transferred to the 8^th Battalion in September 1916, joining his unit in France in early October. He was admitted to hospital, France, in late November, embarking for England and admitted to the 3^rd Southern General Hospital, Oxford in December - bronchitis and trench fever. In late January 1917 he transferred to Dartford Convalescent Hospital. Discharged from hospital to two weeks furlough later in January, he rejoined his unit in France at the end of February 1917.

Alexander was killed in action, in Belgium, on the 4^th of October 1917 during the Battle of Broodseinde Ridge. He was buried somewhere near Zonnebeke, Belgium.

He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour and the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour. He is also remembered in the Coimadai Avenue of Honour and the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Notes

1. The Bacchus Marsh Express 11 Dec 1915