Gunn, Alexander James
Rank: Lance-Sergeant
Regiment: 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Biography: Son of Alexander Gunn, J.P., Achalone, Halkirk, Caithness ; born Halkirk, 5 February 1895. He came to Aberdeen with a very creditable scholastic and athletic record, matriculated in Medicine in October 1913, and in University Class Lists was invariably well placed. As a schoolboy he became a Territorial, joining the 5th Seaforth Highlanders, and, on entering the University, transferred to “ U “ Company, 4th Gordon Highlanders. He went to Flanders in February 1915, and rapidly made a name for himself as a fearless soldier, being recommended for decoration for bravery in the field on 16 June 1915. In the Loos offensive he was dangerously wounded but made a rapid recovery. Without waiting for a Commission, he requested to be posted overseas, and June 1916 saw him again in France, just in time for the Somme offensive. He was reported wounded and missing after a night attack on High Wood on 22 July 1916, and since concluded “killed in action” on that date. Concerning him one of his men wrote : ''He was the best Sergeant I ever had, so joyous, so fearless,'' while his officers wrote, ''I have always known him to be an absolutely fearless man, and one whom, more than anybody else, I would have liked with me in a tight corner.'' ''He had a magnificent record out here, and was one who could be least easily spared'.''
Date of Death: 22 July 1916
Burial Details: Buried at Serre Road Cemetery No. 2, Beaumont - Hamel, Plot 5, Row F, Grave 10.
Publication: Roll of Service, edited by Mabel Desborough Allardyce. Published 1921.
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