Private Alexander Oliver

Private Alexander Symington Oliver, Portsmouth Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry, Royal Naval Division. He was killed in action at Gallipoli, aged 19, on the 6th May 1915. He had been born in Jedburgh and was the son of Robert and Ellen Oliver of Colston Street, Benwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.  He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey. He fell in the attack on the Turkish positions on Razor Back Ridge. The Battalion charged with Australian support into intense machine gun fire which caused heavy casualties. Some men reached the ridge but as the position was overlooked by enemy machine guns the troops were withdrawn. The Battalion strength was reduced to 7 Officers and 350 Other Ranks. The photos show troops in the trenches at Gallipoli.