Cambus war hero to be honoured at last
Killed aged just 30
A Cambuslang war hero who died aged just 30 in the First World War is to be honoured by Glasgow University.
Alexander James Bolton Milne will be one of 19 names added to the university’s roll of honour at their memorial chapel in November, after new digital research by the university discovered former students they were previously unaware of.
Born in Shetland in 1887, Alexander Milne moved to Cambuslang aged just five.
His father was the minister of Cambuslang Baptist Church, and he studied at Cambuslang Public School.
Alexander later joined the University of Glasgow in 1907, and three years later moved to study divinity at Divinity Hall, part of the University of Aberdeen.
Upon graduating Alexander enrolled as a private with the 4th Bn. Gordon Highlanders in March 1915, and within a year he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, receiving his commission on December 3 1915.
After serving in France for a few months, Alexander was attached to the 9th Bn. Gordon Highlanders.
On August 22, 1917, he led his men into battle near Ypres, where he was wounded severely, and he died of his injuries that day.
2nd Lieutenant Milne was said to have been a popular figure within his battalion and his commanding officer wrote he was: “a very gallant capable leader of men and an ever cheerful comrade”.
Alexander is buried at the White House Cemetery in Ypres (Ieper), Belgium.
Katie McDonald, researcher with the College of Arts, University of Glasgow, said: “We are still piecing together the stories behind the names of the fallen and ask anyone who has any information about them and any pictures of them to get in touch.”