Duncan, Alexander David
Rank: Lance-Sergeant
Regiment: 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Biography: Son of Alexander Duncan, farmer. Born Ellon, 23 September 1893; educated at Gordon's College, Aberdeen; graduated M.A., 1914. He was well known and highly esteemed among his fellow-students for his sterling character, his sound clear thinking and his spirit of good comradeship. It is certain that by his death his prospective profession, the Ministry, lost one who would have carried on most worthily its best traditions. He joined the 4th Gordons in his school days, entering the newly formed school section of "E" Company, and later, after matriculating, he transferred to the University Company. On the outbreak of the war he was mobilized with his fellow-students and Territorials, and while under training at Bedford he became attached to the Machine Gun Section. On the Battalion's proceeding to France in February 1915, he proved himself a very efficient and level-headed member of his section and was soon appointed a Lance-Sergeant. In the heavy fighting in which the Battalion took its full share on 17 June on the Menin Road near Ypres, Duncan was mortally wounded, and died a few days later at Wimereux, 25 June 1915.
Date of Death: 25 June 1915
Burial Details: Buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Plot 1, Row J, Grave 4.
Publication: Roll of Service, edited by Mabel Desborough Allardyce. Published 1921.
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