Life story written by Paul Beecroft
1215985 LDG AIRCRAFTMAN
A.E. ALEXANDER
ROYAL AIR FORCE
22nd APRIL 1945 AGE 38
“At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them”
Albert Edward ALEXANDER was born in Reading on 16th February 1907. His parents were William and Mable Florence and they lived at 42, Albert Road, Reading. His siblings were Mabel born in 1906 and two younger brothers: William born in 1908 and James Robert in 1911. There was possibly another brother, but this is not confirmed.
Nothing is known of Albert’s early years but after leaving school it is thought that he followed in his father’s footsteps and became a painter for some time and then worked at Simonds Brewery.
On 26th September 1931 Albert married Kathleen Annie KENT at St. Mary’s Church in Burghfield. Following the marriage, at some point in the 30s they moved into 12, Princes Street in Reading. Albert and Kathleen were to raise four children.
In 1941, Albert joined the Royal Air Force and in 1945 he is known to be with the 5003 Airfield Construction Squadron. He would spend time in various parts of the country preparing airfields for the planes to take off and land and in the construction of buildings for personnel. At times it was a dangerous job as they often worked with explosives for the removal of trees.
In 1944 it is believed that Albert was at RAF Ashford when an enemy bomber dropped its bombs on the airfield. At the time the squadron were living in tents. A total of 14 were killed and another 16 injured.
By 1945 Albert had been promoted to Leading Aircraftman (L.A.C.) and was stationed at Bury St. Edmunds. On Friday 20th April he suffered a stroke and was rushed to hospital but sadly died two days later. His death was reported in local newspapers:-
Friday, April 27, 1945. The Reading Standard and the Reading Observer
Death
ALEXANDER. –On April 22, 1945, at
West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St. Edmunds,
Albert Edward, beloved husband of Kathleen
Annie Alexander and father of Winnie, Jack,
Peter and Teddy, of 12, Princes Street, Reading,
aged 38 years.
On the same day, The Reading Standard also reported the following:-
L.A.C. Albert Edward Alexander R.A.F.,
whose home is at 12, Princes Street, Reading,
died on Sunday in hospital in Bury St. Edmunds,
following a stroke on Friday evening. He appeared
in the best of health when home on leave last month.
Aged 38, L.A.C. Alexander was a Reading man, and
prior to entering the Royal Air Force in 1941 was
employed at Messrs H. and G. Simonds.
On Friday, May 4, 1945, The Reading Standard reported the following:-
The late L.A.C. Alexander
The funeral of L.A.C. Albert Edward Alexander, whose home is at 12, Princes Street, Reading took place on Friday last. The death of L.A.C. Alexander, which was reported last week, occurred in hospital in Bury St. Edmunds. The funeral service at St. John’s Church, Reading, conducted by the Rev. C.P. Barnes, was largely attended. Four L.A.C.s acted as bearers and floral tributes were sent from officers, N.C.O.s and airman of the late L.A.C. Alexander’s flight and Squad. A guard of honour was formed by members of the Fire Brigade of Messrs H. and G. Simonds where he was formerly employed. L.A.C. Alexander leaves a widow, a daughter and three sons. Three brothers are serving in the Forces.
L.A.C. Albert Edward Alexander was then buried in Reading Old Cemetery.
Division 54, Row M, Plot 13