Eric George ALEXANDER

Private Eric George Alexander
56th Battalion, The Australian Imperial Force

Private Alexander (Reg No: 1611) was treated at the 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Southall in Middlesex.

Kathy Alexander, granddaughter, says:

"Eric was born on 31 March 1895 at Kiama NSW (Australia), to John and Christina (nee Stevens) Alexander and grew up on his parents’ farm at Lockhart NSW. He was the eldest of six children, four sons and two daughters.

At the age of 21, in 1916, Eric joined the Australian Army and served in the First World War, he was with the 56th Battalion of the First AIF and fought in France and Egypt. He was wounded in his left leg, which later was amputated, and recuperated in France and later England before returning home to Lockhart with a wooden leg to continue farming. He was later discharged from the Army in 1920.

In 1928, Eric married Agnes Lily Hudson Scott. They made their life together on their farm "Caroona" at Lockhart. 

Eric and Agnes led very productive lives and welcomed two daughters into their family. Fay was born in 1930 and Gwen in 1933.

Eric enjoyed farming life and ran his property very successfully and founded the famous "Caroona" merino stud with which he won numerous first and championship prizes. He enjoyed a game of lawn bowls and his trophy collection steadily grew and also was a keen card player. Eric was the President of the Lockhart Show Society during the 1950s and the driveway to the show grounds was dedicated to him in 1994, being named the "E G Alexander Memorial Drive" and was opened at the Lockhart Show by his daughter, Gwen and witnessed by four of his six grandchildren, Heather, Alex, Andrew and Kathy.  

In approximately 1960 Eric and Agnes retired and moved to Wagga Wagga NSW, where Eric continued his love of lawn bowls and cards.

After a life of 45 years together, Agnes passed away in January 1973. Eric passed away on 12 July 1977, at Wagga Wagga, he was 82. Eric and Agnes were survived by their two daughters and six grandchildren.

Circa 1925 when Eric would have been aged approximately 30
With Agnes in around 1945 when Eric would have been aged about 50
Taken in approximately 1942 at the Lockhart Show with one of Eric's Champion Rams
Taken in 1953 when Eric was the President, opening the Lockhart Show
Alexander, Private Eric George - War papers 1