14050 Private
13th Company, 2nd Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force.
Age: 38
Date of death: 6/5/17
Buried: Kandahar Farm Cemetery I.D.20
Family history: Son of Alexander and Jane Baird, Falkirk. Alexander emigrated to New Zealand and was employed as a miner at the State Collieries, Greymouth before he enlisted on 9 March 1916. Alexander married Elizabeth on 21 June 1916, she was pregnant with their daughter who was born on 5 November 1916. Alexander never saw their daughter Justina
Action leading to his death
On completion of his training he embarked as a Rifleman with the 5th Reinforcement, 3rd Battalion, ‘G’ Company on the 26 June 1916 and they arrived in England on 22 August before crossing to France and the base at Etaples in September 1916. He joined the 2nd Battalion in the field on 3 October 1916. On 6 May 1917, they were in the line near Ploegsteert with the War Diary recording that a third of the men were engaged in railway construction and the remainder working in the line. Casualties were recorded as one other rank wounded and 2 other ranks sent to hospital. Alexander was wounded and subsequently died of his wounds at the Advanced Dressing Station at Kandahar Farm.
Medals awarded
British War Medal, Victory Medal
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