Henderson Donald “Don” Alexander

 

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander.  Mrs.  Henderson formerly of Cedar Springs who had moved to Ridgetown. The CDN 4/02/43 reported of the Kent Regt. is taking a course in Toronto. He spent a short leave with his parents here, after leaving the west coast,   Married to Ruth Helen (nee Brennan) CDN 5/05/43 the ceremony was held at St. Joseph RC Church. After a short honeymoon, they were residing at 106 Patteson Ave., Chatham, ON., with her parents.  She was employed at the McCall’s Drug Store.   

Donald enlisted with the 1^st Kent Regt. in August of 1942. He trained in London, Halifax, Niagara-on-the-Lake and on the west coast. Donald transferred overseas in May of 1943 as a replacement to the Essex Scottish to go overseas. For a time he was an instructor in England. His brother Pte. John Robert Henderson A29582, was stationed in London, ON 

Went to France and was reported missing July 21st 1944. Was a prisoner of war at camp Stalag 357 for ten months. Stalag 357 was north of Warsaw until the Russians threatened it with their steam roller drives. Then it was removed to the vicinity of Hanover and Brunswick.

The CDN 2/08/44 reported that Donald was reported MIA on 21 July 1944 it would later be confirmed that he was in fact a POW while serving with the Essex Scottish in France. A short wave broadcast of a musical program from Berlin, Germany contained a message from Donald to his wife telling her he was safe. CDN 9/09/44(P). This unofficial report was confirmed a few weeks later by the International Red Cross at Geneva.

He was liberated from the German POW camp Stalag 357 on 15 May, 1945 and was taken to England. 

Donald returned to Canada after the end of the war. Reported returning from overseas duty aboard the vessel Queen Mary docking at New York City. CDN 11/07/45.

Discharged August 29th,  1945.

Donald Alexander passed away 6 April, 2002.  

 

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