Wilder, Alec Edwards

Dates:

War Service:
Lance Corporal 31033 ALEC EDWARDS WILDER of the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment died on 31 May 1918, aged 21.

On 26 May 1918 the 2/Devons were part of the British 8th Division holding positions along the Chemin des Dames above the river Aisne. At 1am on 27 May after a lightning bombardment their positions were outflanked and overwhelmed by German infantry.

In the chaotic fighting that followed the Devons fought heroically but by the end of the day there were only 80 men left of the battalion. Over the next few days as the British were pushed back stragglers came in and brought the battalion strength up to about 140. In all, between 27 May and 3 June the battalion lost 29 officers and 552 men, among them Alec Wilder.

He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial.

Location of Memorial:
He is remembered on the and on the memorials at Lewisham United Reformed Church and Blackheath Congregational Church.

Details:
He was the son of Ben E. and Kate Wilder, of 6, Church Terrace, Lewisham.

Source:

Contributed By: Andy Pepper

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