Remembrance: Alexander George Mavor

How many times have you walked past his name written on the stained-glass window at the back of the sanctuary? How many times have you heard it read aloud as part of the Honour Roll on Remembrance Day?

As the years go by, the two World Wars slip further and further into the past. It can be hard to remember that each name we read represents a young man (so young, most of them!) from our community who had a family, who had hopes and plans for his future.

I am able to share the following information about Alexander Mavor due to the genealogical research of his great niece, Dianne Nolin.

The son of Alexander Mavor and Rebecca Campbell, Alexander George Mavor was 22 years old when he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 31 October 1914 at Montreal. He was assigned to the 23rd Infantry Battalion.

On 2 February 1915 he sailed for England aboard the Missanabie. After some training, he embarked for France on 26 April 1915 and was transferred to the 4th Battalion. Alex had fought in the trenches at Festuberg and Messines.

Alex was engaged in the Second Battle of Ypres, positioned at "The Bluff". While on duty in the trenches on April 10th 1916, he was wounded by a bullet that glanced off a periscope and entered his stomach. His wound was dressed and he was taken to NO.17 Casualty Clearing Station at Remi Siding where he died the following day.

Alexander George Mavor was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, near Poperinge Belgium, grave reference VI - B - 8A

His name was also entered on the family gravestone in Mount Royal Cemetery, along with his parents.

Dianne Nolin’s grandfather, Herbert, was Alexander George’s younger brother. The window at the back of our church was dedicated by the family to Alexander George and to his father, also named Alexander. The only known picture of “Alex” shows him at about five years old.