ALEXANDER, Selena Pearl
Age at Death: 25
Rank Private
Unit Canadian Women’s Army Corps
Service Number W22255
Place of Burial Brookside Cemetery, Winnipeg MB
Date of Birth 1919.02.27
Place of Birth Oakville MB
Enlistment September 29, 1943, Toronto ON
Date of Death 1944.10.09
Daughter of John and Wilhelmina Alexander, of Winnipeg
Born in Manitoba from Scottish immigrant parents, Selena had seven brothers as well as a sister who died young. Despite being smart enough to skip two grades in elementary school, she dropped out of high school in order to care for her ailing mother. Selena enlisted in the Army in Toronto in September 1943. Her Personnel Selection Record noted: “Wants to do anything 'but sit at a typewriter' because she is very restless and likes to be on her feet.”
Private Alexander completed basic training and clerical training in Ontario and New Brunswick. She was posted to the Pay Office in 1944. Shortly thereafter, she was transferred to Winnipeg for “compassionate reasons,” possibly to do with her mother’s health. In April 1944, she was absent without leave for four days, resulting in a docking of eight days of pay and four days of privileges.
In October 1944, Selena was admitted to hospital where she became unconscious. She died seven days later of meningitis.
