Alexander Picton Brereton

Alexander Picton Brereton (13 November 1892 - 10 January 1976), was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

He was 25 years old, and an acting corporal in the 8th (Winnipeg Rifles) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

Action

On 9 August 1918 east of Amiens, France, during an attack when a line of hostile machine-guns opened fire suddenly on his platoon which was in an exposed position with no cover Corporal Brereton realised that unless something was done, his platoon would be annihilated. On his own initiative he at once sprang forward alone and, reaching one of the enemy machine-gun posts, shot the operator of the gun and bayoneted the next one who attempted to operate it, whereupon nine others surrendered. His action inspired the platoon to charge and capture the five remaining posts.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of Company Quartermaster Sergeant. Grave/memorial at Buried at Elnora Cemetery, Elnora, Alberta, Canada. Headstone.

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

External links

* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11234535&pt=Alexander%20Brereton Find-A-Grave Profile]
* [http://www.legionmagazine.com/features/victoriacross/05-09.asp?id=print Legion Magazine]