Claim: Leigh Alexander, the son of Major Willian Alexander who was born in South Africa, joined the Gurkhas in 1917, worked in the British Indian Army and was promoted to Captain in 1922.
Evidence: He was born at Umzinto, Colony of Natal, South Africa. Alexander joined the Gurkhas on 11 May 1917 during the First World War and first saw service on the North West Frontier. He was commissioned into the British Indian Army on the 27 October 1917. He was promoted to Captain in 1922 and to Major in 1935.