ANDERSON, Alexander
| Service Numbers: | 2579, 19033 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Gunner |
| Last Unit: | 7th Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | Newcastle New South Wales, 1890 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Engine Driver |
| Died: | Port Noarlunga, South Australia, 22 October 1937, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Morphett Vale Scotch Cemetery, South Australia Location of Ashes - Loggia 1 J/19 |
| Memorials: | Hamilton War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 27 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 2579, 27th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 2579, 27th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Adelaide | |
| 11 May 1916: | Embarked Gunner, 19033, 7th Field Artillery Brigade, HMAT Argyllshire, Sydney | |
| 11 May 1916: | Involvement Gunner, 19033, 7th Field Artillery Brigade, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Argyllshire embarkation_ship_number: A8 public_note: '' |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by St Ignatius' College
Alexander Anderson was born in April 1891 in Newcastle New South Wales. His occupation before enlisting was an ‘engine driver’ also known as a train driver. Alex was single and his next of kin was his father.
On the 11th of January 1916, Alexander enlisted. He embarked on 11 May 1916 from Sydney, New South Wales. He travelled on the HMAT A8 Argyllshire. He travelled first to South Hampton England and then disembarked in France on the 16th of July 1916
Alex fought in the battles of Messines, during this battle he was promoted to Corporal. He was later promoted to Sergeant-Major.
On the 23rd of September 1917, Alex was admitted with a shrapnel wound from fighting in the battle of Menin Road. Alex likely received immediate first aid and basic medical treatment at a field dressing station near the battlefield before being discharged on the two days later with his shrapnel wound treated.
Alexander also fought in The Battle of Broodseinde Ridge. This was a significant conflict during World War I. It occurred on October 4, 1917, near Ypres in Belgium.
On the 17th of November 1917, Alex took leave from France travelling to England. He rejoined his unit on 3rd December 1917. On the 11th December he was sent to hospital with appendititis.
He went to Veterinary school from June 30th, 1918 – August 13th 1918. Since he was in an artillery brigade, they used horses to transport cannons and weapons. So, during this school, he would have most likely learned how to care for the horses if they were sick or injured, how to groom and care for them properly and how to look after their hooves so that the horses could successfully do their job.
On the 21st of November 1918, Alex was awarded an M.S.M (Meritorious Service Medal) for his good service and devotion to duty.
He returned to New South Wales, Australia on the 19th of June 1919. He died on the 10th of September 1960 at the age of 69.
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