Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Sgt 1175 David John Anderson was killed in action on 16 June 1915 when the Turks heavily shelled the 8th Battalion's trenches at Steele's Post. He had only arrived at Gallipoli on 12 June 1915 as he had been an instructor at Broadmeadows Camp (having previously been a Lieutenant in the Senior Cadets before the war).

Remembered on the Bendigo War Memorial.

David John Anderson, known as ‘Jack’, was born in Bendigo, the son of David and Jeanette Anderson, of 33 View Street.     His father was a Chemist, and after ‘Jack’ passed the preliminary exams in pharmacy he entered his father’s shop as an apprentice.     Amongst other activities he held the post of secretary of the High School Old Students’ Society, and served as Lieutenant in the Senior Cadets.   

He enlisted for service at the age of 18 years and 2 months, the second man from St John’s Presbyterian Church to enlist.    He was described as being 6’ ½” tall, with a fair complexion, grey eyes and auburn hair.    He was allotted Service no. 1175 and appointed as Sergeant to the 1st Reinforcements for the 8th Battalion.   He embarked for service overseas on 22.12.14 and joined the 8th Battalion in Egypt on 25.2.15.   

During March he injured his thumb and was admitted to hospital to be treated for blood poisoning.   He lost his thumb nail, and then developed a bad attack of boils necessitating a longer stay in hospital.    After leaving hospital he was put in charge of Battalion stores and equipment, the accident to his thumb precluding him from more active participation.    He sailed with the battalion and assisted them in the Landing at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915, but remained on board and returned with the wounded.   

He Embarked for Gallipoli on 2.6.15 and joined the 8th Battalion in the trenches at Steele’s Post on 12.6.15.   Steele’s Post was a critical position on the heights above Anzac Cove.   The firing line was only just beyond the crest, with the Turks entrenched less than 100 yards in front.   

David John Anderson was Killed in Action on 16.6.15, during heavy shelling which seriously damaged the parapets of the trenches.   He was buried in Shrapnel Gully, about 400 yards SE of Anzac Cove, and a simple wooden cross was erected over his grave.     The Commonwealth War Graves Commission later re-interred his remains in the Shrapnel Valley Cemetery (Plot 2, Row D, Grave 7) and erected a gravestone.     His parents requested the words of the inscription:

SERJEANT D. J. ANDERSON

8TH BN, AUSTRALIAN INF.

16 JUNE 1915    AGE 18

THY WILL BE DONE   

His was the first death from St John’s Presbyterian Church.   

“At St John’s Presbyterian Church yesterday morning the Rev J Barnaby made a touching reference to the late Sergeant D. J. Anderson, news of whose death at the Dardanelles came through during last week.   Mr Barnaby was preaching on “Things that transcend the love of life.”   Amongst others he said, patriotism was strong in the community at present, and was stronger in many than the love of live [sic].   In the name of the congregation he offered the sincerest sympathy to the relatives of the one who had been associated with the church, and who by laying down his life in the heyday of his young manhood had nailed the lie to the wall that the reckless and godless made the best soldiers.   It was now proved that the men of high spiritual ideals, with strong faith in God, made the best fighting material.   After the benediction had been pronounced the congregation remained standing with heads reverently bowed, while the organist, Miss Gall, played the Funeral March.”     [Bendigo Independent:  12 July 1915]  

“The Men Listed on the Roll of Honour, St John’s Presbyterian Church, Bendigo”: Larna Malone