A. Alexis Alvey was born in Seattle, Washington and later attended McMaster University in Hamilton (1932-33). She was employed as a special technician in charge of photography at the University of Toronto's School of Medicine. Alvey helped organise the business women's company of the Toronto Red Cross Transport Corps and commanded it for two years. She was also lecturer to the entire Transport Corps for Military Law, Map Reading, and Military and Naval insignia. She was chosen as one of the first class of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service which began training in August 1942 in Ottawa. Having passed a selection board to become one of the first commissioned officers, Alvey was selected by Dorothy Isherwood, W.R.C.N.S., to be acting Chief Petty Officer Master-at-Arms. Her other assignments included duty as Deputy Unit Officer H.M.C.S. Bytown (Ottawa), duty with the Commanding Officer Pacific Coast H.M.C.S. Burrard (Vancouver), assignment as Unit Officer and then Lieutenant H.M.C.S. Bytown, and Unit Officer to H.M.C.S. Stadacona (Halifax). After a distinguished career with the W.R.C.N.S., Alvey returned to her civilian position at the University of Toronto in 1945. She then joined the University of Washington Libraries, retiring in 1969. Ms. Alvey died on June 5, 1996.
From the description of A. Alexis Alvey fonds. 1940-1985. (University of British Columbia Library). WorldCat record id: 606459699
