On Plymouth Naval Memorial is the name of J/41290 Signal Boy Alexander Calder serving on H.M.S. Invincible with the Royal Navy who died 31/05/1916.

Acknowledgments: Barney Rice

Colin Boyd has provided the following :

Alexander was born on 16th May 1899 in Berwick upon Tweed the son of James Calder, a mason’s labourer and his wife, Agnes.

In 1901 he was living with his parents, four brothers and two sisters at 23, Walkergate Lane, Berwick upon Tweed.

Ten years later the family were still living at the Walkergate address and now comprised of two daughters and six sons. Agnes noted on the census form that she had given birth to 13 children, two of whom had died.

Alexander enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy Entrant on 2nd June 1915 when he was described as being 5 feet on and a half inches tall with brown hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion.

He was promoted to Signal Boy on 21st October 1915 and posted to HMS Invincible on 17th December 1915.   Alexander was killed in action at the age of 17 when HMS Invincible was sunk during the Battle of Jutland on 31st May 1916 with the loss of 1026 officers and ratings.

Alexander Calder is remembered at Berwick upon Tweed on  B25.01,  B25.13 and B25.31, at Benwell in B86.19  and in our List of Ships’ Crews.