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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Alexander Allen McKay

In memory of:

Sergeant Alexander Allen McKay

September 13, 1944

Military Service


Service Number:

H/19344

Age:

24

Force:

Army

Unit:

Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada

Additional Information


Son of James Albert McKay, and of Laura Jane McKay, of Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba. Brother of John Albert McKay who died on July 21, 1944 while serving with Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada and brother of Hugh Robert McKay who died on February 20, 1944 while serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force

Commemorated on Page 387 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

I. C. 12.

Location:

Adegem Canadian War Cemetery is located midway between Brugge (17 km) and Gent (26 km) on the N9 which connects the two towns. From Brugge, Adegem is approached via Sijsele and Maldegem. On reaching Adegem, the cemetery is located on the Prins Boudewijn Laan, on the right-hand side of the N9. In the last week of September 1944, the Allies held the city of Antwerp, but the Germans held both shores of the Scheldt estuary, so that the port of Antwerp could not be used. The task of clearing the southern shore of the estuary was allotted to the 3rd Canadian Division, aided by the 4th Canadian Armoured Division and the 52nd Division. Their operations lasted from October until the beginning of November 1944. By 3rd November the Germans had been cleared from the north-west corner of Belgium and the south shore of the Scheldt was free. There had been fierce fighting for two weeks for the crossing of the Leopold Canal. The majority of the men buried at Adegem died during the operations for the clearance of the south bank of the Scheldt; but many Canadians who lost their lives elsewhere in Belgium were also brought here for burial.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Group Photo– Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada
Alexander Allen McKay pictured in the front row, centre.
My grandfather, William James Sydney Pratt is pictured in the back row, second from the right.
  • Memorial– Remembering brothers lost … Brothers In Arms Memorial, Zonnebeke, BE … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022
  • Newspaper Clipping– In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Newspaper Clipping– In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Newspaper Clipping– In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Entrance– Photo submitted by Marg Liessens
  • Cross of Sacrifice– Photo submitted by Marg Liessens
  • Grave marker– Photo submitted by Marg Liessens

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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