Non Combatant Corps, 2nd Eastern Company, Service no. 884
Born: 1888. Died: 21st December 1930.
Story
Originally from Carlisle, Alexander was working in Sunderland as an Assistant teacher in 1911, but had moved to Crewe House, Kippax before the War, which had been the home of John Austin, M.P. (pictured below):
Alexander was called up for Service on 8th May 1916. He was 5 ft 6½ inches tall, and was employed as an accountant, and officially lodged an objection to his call-up. At his appeal hearing in Leeds, Alexander was given exemption from combat service only. 3,400 such objectors were sent to the Non-Combatant Corps (NCC) under the Military Service Act after being granted this exemption by their local Tribunal hearing. Conscientious Objectors who were willing to join the military, but not to kill the enemy, created a resource the Army could draw from, and the NCC was formed with the deliberate aim of freeing up soldiers behind the lines from routine labour and logistics tasks, giving the army more effective fighting men for the front lines. This could still be dangerous work, and 33 men from the NCC were killed in service. Alexander named his mother as his next of kin, who was living in South Milford. However, Conscientious Objectors working behind the Front Line could expect mockery and sarcasm from serving soldiers, as their suggested Coat of Arms below highlights, and their efforts were largely ignored. On 11th March 1916 the Globe printed the comment: “After a short time in the NCCs, we feel sure they will become glad to become soldiers, for they can expect little sympathy or appreciation from either their combatant comrades or the sensible public.”
Alexander was present at Richmond Castle in North Yorkshire from 1916. After the War, Alexander married Lucy Isabel Simpson Goodall on 20th July 1918 in Kippax. They were living on Station Road when he was discharged on 10th November 1919. Alexander also wrote to the army on 20th November 1919 for a character reference. He passed away on 21st December 1930, aged 42, whilst living at 7 Highfield Villas, Sherburn in Elmet.
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