11 Facts About Alexis Helmer

Alexis Hannum Helmer was killed in battle during the Great War while serving with the 2nd Battery, 1st Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery.

Alexis Helmer is known as being part of the inspiration for "In Flanders Fields" through his friendship with John McCrae.

Richard Alexis Helmer came from a loyalist military family, originally from Williamsburg, Dundas County.

Alexis Helmer served as a major in the 43rd Ottawa and Carleton Rifles, the same regiment his uncle, William Z Helmer, had served in as a Captain during the Fenian Raids.

Alexis Helmer enlisted August 27,1914 in the Canadian Field Artillery.

Alexis Helmer was killed in the Second Battle of Ypres on 2 May 1915.

Early on Sunday morning, May 2,1915 Lieutenants' Hague and Alexis 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.

Alexis Helmer was inspired to write it on May 3,1915, after presiding over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, at which time he noted how poppies quickly grew around the graves of those who died at Ypres.

Alexis Helmer described it as being "almost an exact description of the scene in front of us both".

Alexis Helmer submitted it to The Spectator in London but it was rejected.

Alexis Helmer is memorialised on panel 10 of the Menin Gate Memorial.