Description
1914-15 Star Trio, 870 Private Alexander Duncan Cameron, Canadian Army Service Corps, a Scotsman who became American and volunteered with the Canadian Army.
Saw service attached to various units with the CASC including the 5th Australian Infantry Battalion.
1914-15 Star officially impressed: “870 Pte A.D. Cameron Can: A.S.C.”
WW1 Pair officially impressed: “870 Dvr A.D. Cameron C.A.S.C.”
With the original medal issue packet, sent to him in Dobbs Ferry, New York, USA.
Also his original USA issued Social Security Card, and the 2 accompanying medal issue slips for the Star and for the Pair.
Alexander Duncan Cameron, was born in Oban Scotland, on 11th May 1886.
Appears on the 1901 Census, as a 14 year old Message Boy, living with his family in Lochavullin Terrace, Oban, Argyllshire, Scotland.
He immigrated to Canada on the Letitia of the Donaldson Line on 27th July 1912 sailing from the Port of Glasgow.
Returning back home to Glasgow, he married Flora in Glasgow during April 1914, and it looks like they set back off for New York on the Anchor line on 14th October 1914.
Married Flora Majorie “Daisy” Menzies, who was a local girl from Oban in Glasgow on 24th April 1914 and again on 5th March 1915 in Verdun, Montreal, allowing them to be married by a Presbyterian Minister.
Enlisted at Montreal on 17th February 1915. He noted his address as New York City, his wife staying home in Oyster Bay, NY.
He had some previous Army experience noting he had seen service with “Garrison Artillery, Scotland”.
Shown after the war on the 1930 US Census living in Dobbs Ferry, Westchester, with his wife Flora M. and young daughter Sheila Mae.
At the time he was working as a Chauffeur for a private family.
He later died in Manhattan, NYC on 2nd January 1956. Being buried in St Mary’s Episcopal Church in Newport, Rhode Island.
WW1 service details:
His detailed 62 page service file can be view online here
Embarked for England on the SS Scandinavian, 13th May 1915
Present with Unit at Newingreen, Kent, 16th June 1915
Embarked for France, 18th September 1915
Disembarked in France at Havre on 16th September 1915.
Attached to the 5th Australian Infantry Brigade from 6th April 1916.
Rejoined unit from Australian Infantry Brigade on 7th May 1916.
Attached to the Canadian Corps, 18th May 1916
Returned to Duty, 16th July 1916
Attached to the Labour Bn, 17th July 1916
Returned to duty, 29th July 1916
Attached to Canadian Corps, 30th July 1916 – 3rd Sept 1916.
Attached to 10th Corps, 14th Nov 1916
Attached to 7th Labor Bn for duty, 14th April 1917 – 20th June 1917.
9th June 1918, “The designation of the 2nd Reserve Park will be from midnight of May 27-28th 1918 be No 2 Canadian Army Auxiliary Horse Company”.
