Lieutenant Alexis Hannum Helmer
Killed in Action in WW1
Date of Death:
General Information
Conflict:
WW1
Regimental No.:
NA
Cause of Death (in war):
Killed in Action
Branch:
Army
Regiment:
Canadian Field Artillery
Battalion:
1st Artillery Brigade
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Hull, Quebec
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
22 years 1 month
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
22 years 10 months
Country Born:
Canada
Trade or Calling:
Engineer
Next of Kin:
Lieut. Col. R. A. Helmer, 122 Gilmour St., Ottawa
Address at Enlistment:
Religion:
Methodist
Place of Enlistment:
Valcartier, Quebec
Was a Prisoner of War:
Height:
5 ft 7.0 in / 170 cm
Weight:
Chest:
37.5 in / 95 cm
Expansion:
3.5 in / 9 cm
Marital Status:
Single
Prior Military Experience:
Yes
Saw Service in:
Europe
Place of Discharge:
Discharge Type:
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
2nd Ypres
Length of Service:
Buried at:
Menin Gate (Ypres) Memorial, Belgium
Links
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW1 |
Lieutenant |
Canadian Field Artillery |
Army |
1st Artillery Brigade |
|
|
|
Notes
Son of Elizabeth I. Helmer, of 122, Gilmour St., Ottawa, and the late Brig. Gen. R. A. Helmer. The following circumstances of his death have been compiled from letters received by Lieut Owen Carsley Frederic Hague's father, Frederic Hague from officers in the area at the time. Early on Sunday morning, May 2, 1915 Lieutenants' Hague and Helmer left their position to check on a Canadian Battery who had positioned themselves on the bank of the Yser Canal near St. Julien close to the France-Belgium border. They had only gone a few yards when a six inch, high explosive canon shell burst. Lieut. Helmer was killed instantly.
Lieut. Helmer was a close friend of Capt. John McCrae and was the inspiration for "In Flanders Fields".
Version: 1 Last modified: 2026-11-03 02:05:03
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