SANDERSON, Bert
| Service Number: | 329 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 September 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 8th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Echuca, 1888 |
| Home Town: | Violet Town, Strathbogie, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Violet Town State School |
| Occupation: | Butcher |
| Died: | Bendigo, 1964, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Ballarat (Old) General Cemetery |
| Memorials: | Euroa Telegraph Park, Violet Town Honour Roll WW1, Violet Town Primary School Honour Roll, Violet Town St Dunstan's Honor Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, 329 | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Feb 1915: | Involvement Private, 329, 8th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Star of Victoria embarkation_ship_number: A16 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Feb 1915: | Embarked Private, 329, 8th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Star of Victoria, Melbourne | |
| 5 Nov 1915: | Honoured Mention in Dispatches |
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SANDERSON Bert 329 TPR
8th Light Horse Regiment
1888-1964
Bert was the second son of Charles and Margaret Sanderson. He was working as a butcher in Benalla when he enlisted on 17 September 1914 aged 25. He was posted to the 8th Light Horse Regiment.
On 25 February 1915 Bert embarked from Melbourne on HMAT Star of Victoria bound for Alexandria from where, the following May, he embarked for Gallipoli. Owing to the rough terrain, light horses were not used and the Regiments were dispersed into infantry battalions or the Australian Service Corps. Bert was seconded to the infantry.
During the August Offensive Bert had a direct confrontation with some Turks in a trench. He wrote to a friend, Mrs Briggs in Benalla telling her all about it. He lost three of his best mates and sustained a severe wound to his left leg. An amputation was necessary which took place at No 1 AGH at Heliopolis.
During convalescing in Egypt he had a visit from a lady missionary who wrote to Bert’s mother reassuring her that her son was alright. She reported that Bert was in a good deal of pain but the wound was healing well.
It was while Bert was recovering that he received the news that he had been Mentioned in Despatches by Sir Ian Hamilton, Commander in Chief of the Anzac forces.
On 3 November 1915 he was invalided back to Australia aboard HMAT Karoola. On arrival he was admitted to No 5 AGH from where he was discharged on 3 April 1916.
When discharged he worked as a Rate Collector for the Benalla Water Trust. He moved to Melbourne, then Bendigo to live with his brother Glen.
He died there on 21 August 1964 and was cremated at Ballarat.
Decoration: Mentioned in Despatches
Service Medals: 1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal
Memorials: Main Honour Board, Memorial Hall, Violet Town
St Dunstan’s Anglican Church, Violet Town
Violet Town State School Honour Board
Tree No: 6 was planted in 1917 by Mr Fitch
In 2013 a Callistemon - King’s Park Special - was planted by Robert Sanderson
© 2016 Sheila Burnell
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