Background
He was the son of a Manitoba farmer, Cloudesley Picton Brereton and Annie Frazer Black.
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Alexander Brereton
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He was a barber. Brereton joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in January 1916. 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 Venture capital. 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.
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.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
January 10, 1976 (aged 83) -
Nationality
Canada
Awards
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Victoria Cross Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour 'in the face of the enemy' to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour 'in the face of the enemy' to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.