232071 Sgt. Alexander Walter Cleland British Army 1st Btn. Gordon Highlanders from:Elm Park, Essex Alex Cleland was born at 22 Eve Road, Plaistow, East Ham, Essex. He went to the Napier Road School, and left at the age of 14. He joined the Army Territorials, before joining the Gordon Highlanders, he signed on for 7 years on the 23rd of Aug 1928.
He served in India and Palatine leaving the Army in 1936. He joined the British Post Office but was returned to the Army for the 2nd World War on the 2nd of September 1939 and was promoted to Sargent. He was captured during the British retreat at Dunkirk on the 12th of Jun 1940 and was a POW until 19th of Apr 1945 in Stalag XXA Thorn, Poland and Stalag XXB Marienburg, East Prussia.
He spent time in hospital and recuperating at Hatfield House, and was discharged on the 13th of Nov 1945.
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