Alexander Picton Brereton

Alexander Picton Brereton VC (13 November 1892 – 10 January 1976) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Alexander Picton Brereton
Born13 November 1892
Oak River, Westman Region, Manitoba, Canada
Died10 January 1976 (aged 83)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Buried
Elnora Cemetery, Elnora, Alberta, Canada
Allegiance Canada
Service/branchCanadian Expeditionary Force
RankCompany Quartermaster Sergeant
Unit8th (Winnipeg Rifles) Battalion
Battles/warsFirst World War
Awards Victoria Cross

Details

He was the son of a Manitoba farmer, Cloudesley Picton Brereton[1] and Annie Frazer Black. He married Mary Isabel McPhee on 17 Jun 1925 and had three children. He was a barber. Brereton joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in January 1916.[2]

Action

Brereton was 25 years old, and an acting corporal in the 8th (Winnipeg Rifles) Battalion, CEF during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. On 9 August 1918 east of Amiens, France, during an attack when a line of hostile machine-guns opened fire suddenly on his platoon which was in an exposed position with no cover Corporal Brereton realised that unless something was done, his platoon would be annihilated. On his own initiative he at once sprang forward alone and, reaching one of the enemy machine-gun posts, shot the operator of the gun and bayoneted the next one who attempted to operate it, whereupon nine others surrendered. His action inspired the platoon to charge and capture the five remaining posts.[3]

Further information

He later achieved the rank of Company Quartermaster Sergeant during World War II. He is at buried at Elnora Cemetery, Elnora, Alberta, Canada. Brereton's medals are on display at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, Imperial War Museum in London.

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References
  1. Oak River Post 28 Sept 1921
  2. Canadian Great War Project
  3. "No. 30922". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 September 1918. p. 11430.

Further reading
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