Alan Ross Lockhart was born on 8 October 1884 at 3-4 High Street South, Dunstable, one of 12 children of Charles Lockhart, a Draper and Outfitter, and Sarah Sophia Lockhart (nee Paddon).

Alan won a scholarship to Dunstable Grammar School at the age of 10 and later went on to  Kings College. He subsequently became a 'Kindergarten Teacher' before joining the Civil Service as a Port Clerk for Customs and Excise in London and Sunderland.

He enlisted with the Royal Fusiliers on 25 September 1914, received a commission and was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant to The Manchester Regiment. The Regiment were posted to Salonika, arriving  in January 1916, where he served until 7 December 1917 as Intelligence Officer and Assistant Adjutant, taking part in various operations against the Bulgars around Lake Doiran and at Machukovo.

Alan first fell ill in July 1917 with symptoms of "pyrexia of unknown origin" and was admitted to the 43rd General Hospital. The War Office sent a telegram to his Mother advising her of his condition and assuring her that "the condition was not serious and there was no cause for anxiety." At the end of August, following a period of convalescence, Alan was discharged back to his Battalion. Within a month he was hospitalised again and treated for Malaria. With no improvement in his condition, on 17 November The War Office telegraphed his Mother who was this time informed that her son was "dangerously ill". She wrote a desperate letter back explaining that she was a Widow and that Alan was her only son and could they please give him a note from her containing the words 'constant loving thoughts, Mother'. Unfortunately his condition worsened and he died at Salonika on 7 December 1917 of Enteric (Typhoid).

Major Scott, Commanding Officer,13th Battalion Manchester Regiment, wrote: "He is greatly missed by all. He was cheerful, interesting, and a most promising officer." Similarly, Major Smylie commented "He was one of the mainstays of the Battalion."

Robin Marriott