Alexander was a native of Newton Stewart, Scotland. He was educated at Wigtown, then began training as a chemist - working with various chemists until he completed his apprenticeship with Mr J P Wilkie, then took charge of his branch shop in Albert Street, Newton Stewart. At the age of 18, he proceeded to Glasgow, where he took up the opportunity of attending college, then went onto Helensburgh. He joined the R.A.M.C., and after completing three years service returned to Glasgow and qualified as a chemist. After six months in Dumfries, he went to England, and whilst there received an offer of an appointment in South Africa. He accepted, and was in South Africa when war broke out, returning with the troops. Whilst at Aldershot, Alexander was visited by his father, who stated that he found him in the best of health and spirits. He entered the war in France on 16th October 1914, and had been engaged at No 13 General Hospital, when he was very suddenly taken ill on 3rd January 1915, with a severe type of blood poisoning. He died at 8.20 a.m. 4 days later. His funeral took place on the 9th. Lieutenant Warburton, the Company Officer, wrote in a letter to Alexander’s father that he had been very popular among the men in his ranks. He was the son of James (an Inspector of weights and measures for Newton Stewart) and Margaret Tennant; and the husband of Henrietta Tennant (nee Changuion) of 93 Beyers Street, West Krugersdorp, Transvaal.