Edward McGill Alexander

Edward McGill Alexander SM MMM ORB
Born	(1947-03-31) 31 March 1947 (age 70) Boksburg
Allegiance	South Africa
Service/branch	South African Army
Years of service	1967–1975 (CF) 1975–2007 (PF) 2007–2014 (RF)
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands held	44 Parachute Brigade
Awards	Southern Cross Medal (SM) Military Merit Medal (MMM) Pro Patria Medal Southern Africa Medal General Service Medal Tshumelo Ikatelaho (General Service Medal) Unitas Medal Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service with 40 Year Clasp) Good Service Medal, Gold (30 Years) Good Service Medal, Silver (20 Years) Good Service Medal, Bronze (10 Years) Spanish Army Medical Service Medal SADC Peace Support Operations Medal, 2009 Order of the Cloud and Banner - with Cravat (5th Grade) (ORB)(Taiwan)
Spouse(s)	Anne

Brigadier General Edward George McGill Alexander SM MMM ORB SAStC was a General Officer in the South African Army.

General McGill Alexander was born on 31 March 1947 in Boksburg. He grew up on farms in the Free State and Rhodesia, went to boarding school and matriculated from the Potchefstroom High School for Boys in 1965.

He trained guide-dogs for the blind for 18 months before volunteering for military service and underwent basic training with 1 SA Infantry Battalion in Oudtshoorn in 1967. He then volunteered for the paratroops and was awarded his parachute wings at Tempe, Bloemfontein in February 1968. He served as a rifleman in B-Company, 1 Parachute Battalion and after completing his training he continued his service in the Citizen Force with 1 Parachute Battalion. He was promoted to corporal and served as a section leader.

Later, he was recommended for officer’s training and was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the newly established 2 Parachute Battalion in July 1972. Having completed the platoon commanders and company 2IC courses at the Infantry School, Oudtshoorn, he served in those capacities in 2 Parachute Battalion. During this time, in his civilian capacity, he ran outdoor pursuit courses for the South African Exploration Society. In 1975 he joined the Permanent Force and was appointed as an Officer Instructor at 1 Parachute Battalion with the rank of lieutenant, again serving as a company second-in-command.

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