Captain Robert Alexander (129996) served in 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers during the Second World War. Born on 24th September 1910, he was the son of David Alexander and Minnie Alexander Belfast.
While living in Belfast, Robert joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1937 before enlisting in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He rose quickly through the ranks, becoming an officer by 1940 and a Captain by 1941.
Before the outbreak of the Second World War, Alexander was a formidable rugby player. He toured with the 1938 Lions in South Africa, playing all 3 matches in the same team as the legendary Blair Mayne. Bob won 11 international caps for Ireland between 1936-1939 and played for the Barbarians in 1935-1936. His only Irish try came against Scotland in 1937. He scored one try against South Africa in a British Lions victory in Cape Town in 1938.
Back Row: 1. Dr. H Emerson (President Irish Rugby Football Union), 2. MJ Daly (Harlequins), 3. L McMahon (Blackrock College), 4. JWS Irwin (North of Ireland Football Club), 5. J Megaw (Richmond and Instonians), 6. RB Mayne (Queens University), 7. AH Bailey (University College Dublin), 8. DB O’Loughlin (University College Cork). Middle Row: 1. P Crowe (Blackrock College), 2. E Ryan (Dolphin), 3. GJ Morgan (C) (Clontarf), 4. S Walker (Instonians), 5. CRA Graves (Wanderers), 6. R Alexander (North of Ireland Football Club). Front Row: 1. GE Cromey (Queens University), 2. VJ Lyttle (Belfast Collegians and Bedford).
The Irish rugby team that played against England on 12th February 1938 featuring Belfast born Robert Alexander who served in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Photo from The Rugby History Society. Copyright unknown.
Away from the international scene, he had played for Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Queen’s University, North of Ireland Football Club, and Police Union. His last rugby match was in 1942 when he captained the side in a friendly against a British Army team. As well as international rugby, Alexander also played cricket at international level for Ireland. He was a right-handed batsman and a right-arm fast-medium bowler. He played once for Ireland in a first-class match against Scotland on 18th June 1932.
Ireland Appearances
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Attendance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8th February 1936 | England | Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland | 36,000 | Won 6-3 |
| 22nd February 1936 | Scotland | Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland | Won 10-4 | |
| 14th March 1936 | Wales | National Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | 70,000 | Lost 0-3 |
| 13th February 1937 | England | Twickenham, London, England | Lost 8-9 | |
| 27th February 1937 | Scotland | Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland | Won 11-4 | |
| 3rd April 1937 | Wales | Ravenhill, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 20,000 | Won 5-3 |
| 12th February 1938 | England | Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland | Lost 14-36 | |
| 26th February 1938 | Scotland | Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland | Lost 14-23 | |
| 11th February 1939 | England | Twickenham, London, England | Won 5-0 | |
| 25th February 1939 | Scotland | Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland | Won 12-3 | |
| 11th March 1939 | Wales | Ravenhill, Belfast, Northern Ireland | 28,000 | Lost 0-7 |
Lions Appearances
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Attendance | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th August 1938 | South Africa | Johannesburg, South Africa | 36,000 | Lost 12-26 |
| 3rd September 1938 | South Africa | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | 20,000 | Lost 3-19 |
| 10th September 1938 | South Africa | Cape Town, South Africa | 18,000 | Won 21-16 |
Bob passed me on the way. I wished him luck. He paused for a second and whispered to me with a smile, “it’s suicide”, and then went on.
Fellow Officer David Cole.
Bob died on 19th July 1943 leading an attack on the Simento River, Sicily. He was 32 years old. Robert Alexander’s grave is in Section III, Row F, Grave 1 of Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy.