Albert Anderson (1893–1917)

Lance Corporal

Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 26548 11th Battalion
Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) 5818 & 24724 4th & 8th Battalions

Derbyshire Courier 22 September 1917

Newspaper photo of Albert Anderson in WW1

Biography
Albert worked in a local Co-op store before moving to work at the Co-op in Ecclesall, Sheffield. Enlisting in Nov 1915 he entered France in Jan 1917 with the West Riding Regiment. Killed in action seven months later, in August he has no known grave, though is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium, and on the war memorial at Crich.

Photo courtesy Ian Goadby (with thanks to Roger Goadby)

Anderson brothers in Ww1

Photograph captioned by Albert's late daughter
The three Anderson brothers – John, Albert and Alfred
Alfred (on the right), Albert believed to be seated.
The photograph was produced by a photographer in Ashford, Kent.

Medal Index Record
He was awarded the Victory and British War medals.

Service Record
His address on enlistment was South View Crescent, Sheffield. Albert was aged 22 years 7 months; a single grocer's assistant. He attested in Sheffield on 28 November 1915. He was 5ft 5½ tall with scars to his right elbow and right shin. The next-of-kin was recorded as John Anderson (elder brother) Shepshed, Leicester.
30 November 1915 – Posted to the 11th Battalion KO Yorkshire
09 January 1916 – Transferred to the 8th Battalion West Riding Regiment
15 January 1917 – Embarked to France
19 January 1917 – Posted to 8th Bn West Riding Regt in Etaples
28 January 1917 – Joined 8th Duke of Wellington Regiment
16 February 1917 – Promoted to Lance Corporal, unpaid
03 March 1917 – Appointed paid Lance Corporal
27 or 28 August 1917 – Killed in action
18 December 1917 – Effects sent to Mrs A. Roe; they were a pocket book, photos, diary, dice

Albert's eight blood relatives (brothers and sisters) were listed –
John Anderson 32, Fleckney, Leicester
Archibald Anderson 30, 62 Randolph Rd Derby
Alfred Anderson 28, Mill Green Fritchley
Alice Yeomans 43, Lea Bridge Nr Matlock
Annie Roe 41, Crich
Agnes Bunting 36, Baker St. Derby
Nellie Whitworth 34, Tansley
May Anderson 22, Lea Bridge, Matlock

In the records was correspondence between Albert's married sister, Annie Roe, and the authorities over receipt of his plaque and medals.

10/Aug/1921
The Common, Crich, Matlock
Sir,
I filled in and sent the form with reference to a plaque and scroll due to me some two years ago to the office at York. I have not received either at present. As I have seen several about here I wondered if mine had been overlooked. As my ...
(
rest of the letter was not on file)

The response was –

To: Mrs A. E. Roe, The Common, Crich, Nr Matlock
11/8/21
24724 L/Cpl A Anderson, 8 West Riding Regt
Killed in Action 27/28 8 1917
Madam,
In reply to your enquiry I beg to inform you that although you are the legatee in the Will of the above named late soldier and have received the British War and Victory Medals and Effects. The first in degree of relationships is entitled to receive the Plaque and Scroll in accordance with instructions received from the Secretary War Office London, and in compliance with these instructions the Scroll was dispatched to his elder brother Mr J Anderson, Fleckney, Leicester on the 16th December 1920.
The Plaque will be sent to him from the Government Plaque Factory London.
Yours faithfully, J. W. Lt Colonel, Infantry Records York

Newspaper Reports

Derbyshire Courier; 26 August 1916
WOUNDED
Pte A. Anderson, Crich

Derbyshire Times
22 Sept 1917
CRICH SOLDIER KILLED

Albert AndersonLance-Corpl. Albert Anderson, West Riding Regiment, of Crich, has been killed in action on the Western Front. The sad news was received on Friday last week and caused profound sorrow and regret amongst the inhabitants of Crich, at which place the deceased soldier was well known and universally liked. Lance Corporal Anderson resided with his brother-in-law and sister, Mr and Mrs Abram Roe, of Crich Common, and they received the official intimation on Tuesday. The officer in charge, Infantry Record Office, York, wrote saying that Lance-Corpl. Anderson was killed in France on August 27th 28th, and Lord Derby also wrote conveying to Mr and Mrs Roe the sympathy of their Majesties the King and Queen. Lance-Corpl. Anderson enlisted in November 1915. He was 24 years of age on April 28th last, and was single. Before the war he was employed by the Sheffield Cooperative Society at their Eccleshall Branch. Previous to taking up duties at Eccleshall he was for about six years employed at the Ripley Cooperative Society's Crich branch. He was educated at the Crich British School, and was a member of the Crich Baptist Church and Sunday School. He is the second member of the Baptist Church at Crich to make the supreme sacrifice, and the second to be likewise recorded on the Roll of Honour at the Council School. Lance-Corpl. Anderson was wounded last year and on returning to France after recovery received his promotion. His loss will be felt keenly at Crich and Eccleshall, and the sympathy of all is extended to the bereaved relatives.

Albert's brother Alfred Anderson is also on the Roll of Honour.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

 

Name ANDERSON
Initials A
Nationality United Kingdom
Rank Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
Unit "Z" Coy. 8th Bn.
Date of Death 28/08/1917
Service No 24724
Additonal information Son of the late Alfred and Alice Anderson.
Casualty type Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference Panel 82 to 85 and 162A
Cemetery TYNE COT MEMORIAL

War graves certificate for Albert Anderson in WW1

Soldiers' Effects Book
Anderson Albert; 8th Bn West Riding; L/Cpl; 24724; death 27 or 28.8.17; War Gratuity of £8 paid sister Annie Roe on 14.11.19

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Lea Wood, Holloway

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Alfred Anderson Head wdr 46 Gardener, domestic Benges, Herts
Annie E Anderson daughter 23 Garn reeler, Merino Mill Gt. Stanmore, Middx
Agnes Anderson daughter 17   Holloway
Nellie Anderson daughter 14   Holloway
John Anderson son 13   Holloway
Archibald Anderson son 12   Holloway
Alfred Anderson son 10   Holloway
Albert Anderson son 8   Holloway

RG13 piece 3235 folio 63 page 13

1911: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Abraham Roe Head 40 Power frame minder Crich
Annie Elizabeth Roe wife 33 Household work Stanmore, Kent
Alfred Anderson bro in law 20 Power frame minder Holloway
Albert Anderson bro in law 17 Coop shop assistant Holloway
May Anderson sis in law 13 Mill hand Holloway

RG14PN20983 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED12 SN90