Alec George Aldis

This story is shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher.

Alec George Aldis was born in the September quarter of 1916, in Ramsgate, Kent, the youngest son of Alfred and Edith Vivette Aldis (née Burley). His father, Alfred, was a trawler engineman, most likely employed on the Lowestoft drifter Parmount, which was then hired by the Admiralty in December 1914 and he enrolled in the trawler section of the Royal Naval Reserve (as an Engineman) on 16th December 1914. He and Edith moved to Ramsgate when the vessel was sent to there and he remained with the vessel before transferring to the drifter John Lincoln, also based in Ramsgate. He was demobbed in 1919 and they returned to Lowestoft.

We see Alec George Aldis for the first time on the 1921 census living at 10, Town Farm Cottages, Southwold, Suffolk. He was living with his mother, two sisters and brother. His father was away fishing on the Trawler (Steam) ‘Bengal’ and was at the Trawl Dock, Lowestoft on that night. His eldest sister, Eva, aged 14 was already at work as Finisher (Hosier) for Home Knit Hosiery Co., Station Road, Southwold. The other two children were at school but Alec was at home as he was too young to go to school.

Alec George Aldis' childhood and teen years are shrouded in mystery, I can find no trace, but we do find Alfred and Edith V. Aldis on the 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939, living at 14, Surrey Street, Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Alec George Aldis would have been 23 years old when war was declared, so could have already enlisted, but he made himself known by his actions as, in 1942, he was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal but was awarded the Military Medal for actions taken at Suda Bay, Crete, along with many other Royal Marines who were awarded for their ‘Gallant and Distinguished Services in the Middle East.’

'Suda Sector, Crete. This NCO has set the finest example to all ranks during the operation in Crete 20th-31st May. With no regard for his personal safety he worked unceasingly to maintain the Suda Sector communications. He was always ready to volunteer for any special despatch riding however hazardous. His work at all times was of the highest order.' Recommended by Major-General E.C. Weston.

The newspaper ‘The Scotsman’  wrote about the action on the 6th March 1942 and the Marines involved who won awards ‘For gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East,’ among those named was Temporary Sergeant Alec George Aldis -M.M.'

In early 1944 Alec Aldis became a Lieutenant and on D-Day he served as the Signals Officer for 'Y' Troop. He was in the thick of the D-Day landings where he was reported missing and presumed killed in action on the 6th of June 1944. His father Alfred Aldis was to sadly die on the 21st of July 1944.

The book Air War D-Day: Gold, Juno, Sword (Volume 5) by Martin W. Bowman includes the reminiscences of Third Officer Marion Salter who had been ‘secretly’ engaged to Alec. Marion recalled that Alec was ‘a career soldier, very ambitious’, and she remembered that on D-Day he had been seen disembarking from his landing craft and died soon afterwards. Alec has no known grave.

Edith Vivette Aldis was to pass away on the 6th of March 1980 in Lowestoft, having had to bear the double grief of losing her son and her husband in 1944.