In 1901. the Rae family were living at 115 Wishart Street, Dennistoun, Lanarkshire: Father, John M. (Compositor), b. c1857, Perth; Mother, Annie, b. c1859, Dundee, Forfarshire; Son, George, b. c1890, Perth; Son, Alfred, b. 1892, Perth; Son, James, b. c1895, Perth; and Son, Quintin, b. c1897, Glasgow, Lanarkshire. Alfred Rae was born on the 23rd June 1892.

He emigrated to Canada in July 1913 and lived in Montreal, where he enlisted on 10th November 1914. Before he enlisted Alfred was employed as an Insurance Official.

The 24th Battalion (Victoria Rifles) was an infantry battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). It was authorised on 7th November 1914 and embarked for Great Britain on 11th May 1915, arriving in France on 16th September 1915, where it fought as part of the 5th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war.

Extract from the War Diary of the 5th Canadian Battalion

“POPERINGHE, April 30th."

“Weather:- fine. Wind:- E.N.E. Gas alarm sounded at 1.30 a.m. on account of gas attack to the south. At 4 a.m. there was an air raid. No damage. Joint Church Parade with the 7th Bttn. In the afternoon. This was a memorial service for those killed in the 2nd Battle of Ypres, last year. An accident occurred at the bombing school resulting in the following casualties: 1 O.R. killed, 9 O.R. wounded. Signed: L. F. Page. Major.”

Although not mentioned by name, it is likely that Alfred Rae was one of these casualties. At the time of his death he was 24 years old.

Alfred Rae is also commemorated on the Perth North Church War Memorial.