HUSBAND OF HELEN SIME MULLEN, OF 5, BRUCE ST., GREENOCK.
Originally enlists in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. This was unit a comprising of soldiers who served part-time with some permanent training staff members and officers in charge. They would learn drill and other military skills on evening and weekend training at the local Battalion drill hall, shooting at local firing ranges and attending annual military camps. He is recorded as aged 17 and civilian employment noted as a Rivet Boy. Born Greenock. Serves under the army number 5081 from 6/1/1902 to 8/2/1902. Must have decided he wanted an army career and decides to become a fulltime soldier. He re-enlists 10/11/1902 and is given a new army number 8970. He joins the Training Depot at Stirling Castle on the same day and after training is posted to the 1st Battalion 3/6/1903 and remains with the Battalion until 16/3/1905 when he is discharged to the army reserve. Which means he could be called up to serve again in the event of a war.
He is mobilized to fight in the war 5/8/1914, height recorded as a 5ft 4.5, weight 106lbs, eyes blue, hair, brown. Tattoo on right forearm – the words ‘true love’ a heart transfixed by an arrow. He is posted to and travels with the 2nd Battalion to France 10/8/1914. He receives a bullet wound to the elbow 26/8/1914 at the battle of Le Cateau and is invalided to the UK. He recovers to some extent and is sent to the 3rd Reserve Battalion, a unit which trained men for the front and undertook defence duties, although in Alexanders case it was probably a posting to see if he was going to recover enough to be combat effective again. This doesn’t happen and he is medically discharged 24/4/1915. He receives a silver war badge for being medically discharged individually numbered No.54755. This was a small badge worn on civilian clothing which indicated to anyone seeing it that the owner had been medically discharged and had ‘done his bit for his country’.
A medical report 25/4/1915 later states that he is unable to extend the 3rd and 4th fingers. The wound is healed but leaves weakness of the right hand. Unable to grip anything. Permanent unless operated on. Operation refused. He is reviewed again 28/2/1916 and 6/2/1917 and receives a medical pension for the disability.
Listed in Evening Telegraph of 10th Sept 1914 as being injured(previously a labourer)
Discharged from army but died as a result of injuries received. This fact didn't appear in his death certificate. Buried at Greenock Cemetery
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Alexander Mullen
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Alexander Mullen
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Alexander Mullen
