Strachan, Alexander Ledingham
Rank: Surgeon-Probationer
Regiment: H.M.S. Genista, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Biography: Son of Alexander Strachan, chemist; born Aberdeen, 29 November 1894; entered the University October 1913 ; student in Medicine, 1913-16. Whilst at the University Strachan joined the O.T.C., and when an appeal was issued for Surgeon Probationers for the Navy he at once volunteered, was commissioned March 1916, and appointed to H.M.S. "Genista", a mine-sweeping vessel. There were few dull moments in Strachan's brief service career—on his way to join his ship he reached Dublin in the midst of the rebellion, and took charge of a hospital there ; later the "Genista" saved the lives of the officers and crew of a ship which was found in a sinking condition, and Strachan received a special letter of thanks along with a presentation for his good services on the occasion. On 23 October 1916 he went down with his ship in the Atlantic, the "Genista" being torpedoed by an enemy submarine and sunk on that date.
Date of Death: 23 October 1916
Burial Details: Name recorded on the Portsmouth Memorial, Panel 24.
Publication: Roll of Service, edited by Mabel Desborough Allardyce. Published 1921.
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