Surname:	Halkett
Forename(s):	Alexander Laing
Rank:	Gunner
Service number:	143620
Regiment:	87th Bde Royal Field Artillery C Bty
Date of death:	21 February 1917 Aged 35
Place of death:	Arras
Buried Commemorated	Sailly-au-Bois Military Cemetery – II.A.6. Kingussie War Memorial

Background

Alexander was born on 7 October 1880 in Dundee son of John and Ann (m.s. Reid) Halkett.

Alexander, began his football career with Parkmore FC (a Dundee Junior Club) a club his brother John also played for before they both joined Dundee Football Club. Alex joined them in 1901, playing in 16 league matches. Aberdeen FC took Alexander further north in 1904/05, where he spent five good seasons, making 116 appearances and scoring two goals. Followed by two seemingly unsuccessful seasons at Portsmouth from 1909 to 1911. Alex then spent 1911/12 and 1912/13 seasons at St Johnstone in Division Two.

He was sometimes known as Alex, Ecky or Alick Halkett.

He married Jessie Cameron Black on 9 May 1916 at 5 St. John Street, Perth. At that time they lived at 186 High Street, Perth. Alexander’s son, Clement Robertson Halkett, was born on 28 January 1917 at Spey Street, Kingussie three weeks before his father’s death.

Alexander’s parents, John and Ann Halkett, lived at 1 Park Avenue, Dundee at the time of his death.

War Record

A wheelwright by trade, he was engaged for a considerable time at Rosyth Naval Base. Alex joined the Royal Field Artillery. He went to France on 17 December 1916. Killed in Action at Arras on 21 February 1917, aged 36. He is buried at Saiily-au-Bois Military Cemetery.

Also commemorated on the Aberdeen Football Club Roll of Honour and the Great War Dundee Roll of Honour and the  Ring of Remembrance, Notre Dame de Lorette.