Ernest ANDERSON

ANDERSON, Ernest

    Service Number: 922
    Enlisted: 28 December 1916
    Last Rank: Gunner
    Last Unit: 36th Heavy Artillery Group
    Born: Paddington, New South Wales, Australia, 7 October 1895
    Home Town: Dulwich Hill, Marrickville, New South Wales
    Schooling: Sydney Technical High School, New South Wales, Australia
    Occupation: Clerk
    Memorials: Sydney Technical High School WW1 Roll Of Honour
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    World War 1 Service

    28 Dec 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Gunner, 922, 36th Heavy Artillery Group
    11 May 1917: Involvement Gunner, 922, 36th Heavy Artillery Group, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '4' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: ''
    11 May 1917: Embarked Gunner, 922, 36th Heavy Artillery Group, HMAT Ascanius, Melbourne

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    Biography contributed by Sydney Technical High School

    Ernst Anderson lborn on the 7th of October 1895 (1) ived in Dulwich Hill, Marrickville, New South Wales with his father Thomas Anderson.  

    He attended Technical High School during his teenage years, it would eventually be named Sydney Technical High School. While there is no record of the exact dates he attended Technical High School estimating from his enlistment age, it can be assumed that he graduated between 1913 and 1914. Before his enlistment, he served in the military for two years already giving him more knowledge and experience than the average recruit. He worked as a clerk during his early twenties. He identified as a Presbyterian on his enlistment forms.

    Ernst Anderson embarked from Devonport Melbourne, Victoria on board the HMAT A11 Ascanius on the 11th of May 1917 (2). He arrived at the Musketry School at Trengantleon the 27th of September 1917 (3) where he would have either undergone arms training or military tactics school.

    On the 31st of October 1917 (4), he proceeded overseas to France via Southampton. When he arrived on the 6th of November 1917 (5) he was taken on strength into the Australian Seige Battery. He would later be hospitalised on the 13th of February in 1918. Later in 1918 on the 11th of July (6), he went AWL (absent without leave) for 3 days, which led to him being deducted 8 days' worth of payment.

    On the 10th of May 1919 (7), Anderson would be discharged, boarded the Orca, and arrive in Australia on the 19th of February 1919 (8). His unit fought heavily on the Western Front, participating in major battles such as the Battle of Passchendaele. Artillery was a vital component of World War I, by bombarding enemy fortifications it would “soften” the enemy defences for the infantry to pull off a successful attack. " The war of 1914-18 was an artillery war. Artillery was the battle winner, artillery was what caused the greatest loss of life, the most dreadful wounds and the deepest fear" John Terraine, White Heat. Famous historian John Terraine emphasised the necessity of artillery units not only for effective deadly attacks but also to counter enemy artillery units. Thus, proving the vital importance of his service in the military showing his bravery, courage and the impact he would have had on the battlefield.

    There is not much information on Ernst Anderson's life after the war, it is unknown if he got married or what occupation he continued his life in. We know that on the 10th of August 1965 (9), he filed a reparation claim designed to help him improve his vocational skills and find jobs. Furthermore, it would have supported his financial independence through pensions and loans. On the 17th of August 1919 (12), he passed away at 84.

     


    References
    Anonymous. Ernst Anderson. World War 1 Honour Board Project. Word Doc
    Ibid
    Anonymous. Ernst Anderson. National Archives of Australia PDF
    Ibid
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    Bibliography
    Perosnal Information
    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uq1kqu_C48IM3fJJ1kRCwB7AU5yA5ZDV
    Unit information, Major battles
    https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/OrderOfBattle/Artillery.html
    Battles
    http://www.gutenberg-e.org/mas01/images/mas04h.html
    Perosnal Information
    https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/OrderOfBattle/5th_Division.html
    Wartime history, timeline
    https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=4659
    Unit Information
    https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/DetailsReports/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=1975819&isAv=N
    Personal information
    https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1338583
    Artillery unit information
    https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/163324
    Artillery unit in World War One information
    https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/ww1/military-organisation/army-weapons#5
    Artiliery information
    https://www.awm.gov.au/wartime/26/article
    Quotes
    https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-D101-PURL-gpo89264/pdf/GOVPUB-D101-PURL-gpo89264.pdf
    Medal information
    https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/honours-awards/medals/imperial-awards/world-war-one/victory-medal#:~:text=Description,reflect%20national%20identity%20and%20custom
    Medal information
    https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/honours-awards/medals/imperial-awards/world-war-one/british-war-medal-1914-20

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    Links and Documents