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Biography
Alexander Barclay
Alexander Barclay was born in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on August 11, 1884, to parents George and Eliza Anne Barclay.
Alexander immigrated to Canada in 1906 when he was 22 years old, where he moved to Stratford, Perth County, Ontario, and worked as a farm labourer. It was in Stratford that he met Maria McKay, also a Scottish immigrant who arrived in Canada in 1906, and they were married on July 30, 1909. Together, they lived at 228 Nile Street, later moving to 207 St. Patrick Street. They had two children by 1911, John and Elizabeth Barclay.
On February 22, 1916, Alexander enlisted in Stratford to the 110 Overseas Battalion (Perth) Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), who sailed from Halifax on October 31, 1916, on the SS Caronia.
The unit arrived in England on November 11, 1916, shortly after which Alexander transferred to the 8th Reserve Battalion upon its formation. Like most reserve battalions, this unit was a force of men who remained behind the lines to reinforce the front lines where needed and was responsible for personnel returning to duty and the training of recruits.
On March 6, 1917, Alexander transferred to the 58th Battalion Overseas to serve as a Private in France and Flanders. With the 58th Battalion, Private Barclay participated in the Battle of Ancre Heights, the Battles of Arras, which included the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Battle of Hill 70, and the Battles of Ypres.
Private Barclay was reported missing from action during the third Battle of Ypres, known as the Battle of Passchendaele, as of October 26, 1917, and for official purposes presumed to have died on Sept 1, 1917. His mother was awarded the Memorial Cross for his courage and sacrifice.
Stories
Bibliography
Veterans Affairs Canada. (n.d.). Private Alexander Barclay. Canadian Virtual War Memorial. https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/921970