Robert Alexander was born in Norwich, Ontario on August 20, 1920, the eldest son of Wilfred and Isabel Johnstone (nee Hagan, born in Ireland) Alexander. He had two brothers, James William and Howard John, and one sister, Catherine May. Robert received his education at Norwich Public and High Schools, and the London Normal School, graduating as a teacher. Prior to enlisting, Robert was as a public school teacher at New Durham.
Robert enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in October 1939. He was a member of the first classes in the Commonwealth Air Training Plan, reporting for duty on April 12, 1940. He trained at Toronto, Malton, Jarvis and Trenton, receiving his observer’s wings and commission at Trenton early in November of 1940. He was then transferred to England and went on active operational duty over Europe. In March of 1941, he was stationed in Egypt and made more than 50 sorties from North African bases. In April of 1942, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic service in the Middle East. He was at the time with the R.A.F. Headquarters Staff in the Middle East and served there until posted home for a special navigational course at Port Albert.
In September of 1942, Robert married Milfred Florence Armstrong, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wellington Armstrong of Alvinston, Brooke Township. At the wedding ceremony, Muriel Craven, cousin of the bride, served as bridesmaid, and James Alexander, brother of the groom, served as the best man. After a brief wedding trip, the couple moved to Goderich. Robert and Mildred Alexander would later have one child, a son, James Robert, and the family resided in Alvinston, their address listed as R.R. #4, Norwich.
Also n his return to Canada in 1942, Robert took a pilot’s course, graduating at #5 SFTS, Brantford, Ontario and receiving his pilot’s wings in July of 1943. He was then posted to the R.A.F. Transport Command at Dorval, Quebec. He then returned overseas for another tour of operations, flying in a Dakota from Dorval on January 26, 1944. He was a member of RCAF #437 Husky Squadron “Omnia Passim” (Anything anywhere), attaining the rank of Squadron Leader-Pilot. He was promoted to squadron leader only one week before his death.
On September 21, 1944, he was part of a crew aboard Dakota aircraft KG387 that was shot down while dropping supplies for paratroopers at Arnhem. Robert Alexander maintained control of the aircraft long enough for most of his crew to bail out. Both Robert Alexander and Flying Officer W.S. McLintock went down with the aircraft and were killed on a farm near Son, Netherlands. Approximately one week later, Milfred Florence Alexander in Alvinston would receive a telegram informing her that her husband, Squadron Leader Robert Alexander, R.C.A.F., is missing in action overseas.
Robert Alexander, would later be officially listed as, Previously reported missing after air operations, now presumed dead, overseas (Holland). Robert left behind his wife Milfred and their young son, James. Twenty-four year old Robert Alexander is buried in Bergen-op-zoom Canadian War Cemetery, Netherlands, Grave 24 C.1-3. He also has a memorial headstone at Norwich Village Cemetery. For his service and bravery, Robert was awarded the following citations: 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; France and Germany Star; General Service Medal; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp; Air Observer Badge earned on October 24, 1940; Pilots Flying Badge earned on January 9, 1943; and Operational Wings awarded posthumously on January 28, 1947. Alexander Bay and Alexander Point, in the Northwest Territories were named after Robert Alexander.
SOURCES: C, D, E, F, L, M, N, 2C, 2D