University of Virginia Library

PRAISE TO THE BRAVE.

Police Constable Alexander Dundas, T Division of the Metropolitan Force, stationed at Teddington, was a very

early member of the National Union of Police and Prison Officers (he was No. 23 on the roll), and had contributed often to the Union Journal, using the pen name of “White Ensign.” He had been in the Navy, originally, and, on the outbreak of war, he rejoined that service. One day, when on watch, he detected the periscope of an enemy submarine, and judging the position critical, without waiting for orders, he fired at, and hit it. For firing without orders he was arrested, but when the actual facts came to the knowledge of his captain, he was released, the whole ship's company was assembled, and he was thanked, publicly, before them. Later, he received the Distinguished Service Medal. On the 29th of February, 1916, the Auxiliary Cruiser “Alcantara,” on which Dundas was serving as Leading Seaman, was engaged, on patrol duty, off the East Coast of Scotland, searching for contraband. She encountered the German Cruiser, “Greif,” disguised as a Norwegian merchantman. The “Alcantara” approached the “Greif,” and while Dundas, as coxswain, was waiting, with his boat's crew, at her side, to take his officer on board the “Greif,” suddenly the latter lowered her false bulwarks, and fired a broadside at the “Alcantara.” One of the shots killed Dundas and the boat's crew. The “Alcantara” replied, and fought bravely; but, alas! was, at last, sunk. Eventually H.M.S. “Andes” came up, and sank the “Greif.”