The Sinking of the R.M.S. Leinster

People on board

Alexander Lamont

LAMONT, Alexander

Alexander Lamont
Alexander Lamont (on left) beside R.S.M. D.D. Farmer, V.C.

Alexander Lamont was born in West Derby, a suburb of Liverpool, in 1888. His father, Douglas Scott Lamont, had also been born in Liverpool, while his mother, Margaret Currie McLennan, was from Scotland. Alexander had two siblings, an older sister Grace and a younger brother Douglas. Douglas Snr was a ‘Flour Mill Superintendent’ and the family lived in Kirkdale, close to Anfield, and the docks.

In 1911 Alexander was living at home, giving his occupation as ‘Shipping Clerk’ with the shipping firm Marwood and Robertson. In 1909 he had joined the Liverpool Scottish Battalion, a Territorial Army unit, possibly on a part-time basis. The Battalion’s dress uniform was Highland attire, including kilt and glengarry headdress.  In 1914 the 10th Battalion volunteered for overseas service and on 1 November was sent to the Western Front. Alexander Lamont began the war as Lance Sergeant but was promoted to Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant.

In January 1917 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 9th Battalion of the King’s Liverpool Regiment, and returned to France. After nine months he was drafted into the County of London Yeomanry for a period of home service, spent in Ireland.

Alexander Lamont Early in 1918 Alexander Lamont married Elizabeth (Bessie) Drummond in Liverpool, setting up home at 138 Anfield Road, though he was still in active service. He was on his way overseas again from Ireland to take up a brigade staff appointment with the King’s Liverpool Regiment when he travelled on RMS Leinster on 10 October 1918. He did not survive the sinking but his body was recovered. He was given a military funeral and buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery. His wife Bessie gave birth to a son on 20 December 1918 whom she named Alexander Douglas.

Illustrations courtesy Peter Power Hynes


