Douglas Forsyth Alexander

This story is shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher. Photo sourced from High School of Glasgow Book of Service and Remembrance.

Douglas Forsyth Alexander was born at St. Omer, Bearsden, New Kilpatrick in the Parish of New Kilpatrick in the County of Dumbarton on the 19th of November 1920, the younger son of James & Mary Alexander (née Forsyth) who had married on the 29th day of June 1915 at Coniston, Bearsden, New Kilpatrick. James Alexander was a Chartered Accountant and they lived at Dumyat, Kalston Road, Bearsden.

Douglas attended the High School of Glasgow but it is not known when he joined up but he was granted an emergency commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Armoured Corps on 21 March 1942. He wa sposted to the staffordshire yeomanry who landed on Queen White sector, Sword Beach on D-Day. He was first reported missing but then reported killed in action. The war diary did not give any clues as to how he was killed but the entry in the High School of Glasgow Book of Service and Remembrance states that he was killed on D-Day while extricating some of his men from a disabled tank under heavy fire. The Milgavie and Bearsden Herald of the 24th June 1944 published a report of his death.

He was first buried at Hermanville, then, on the 5th of June 1945 he was reburied in Ranville British Cemetery, where he now lies.

Source: Find A Grave - Mark Quillet

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

We do not know much about Douglas' early years. If you are are related to him we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.