Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

John Anderson was born on 30 November 1876 (or 1877) at Chirnside, Berwickshire, Scotland, the son of Isabella Anderson. In 1881 John was at Swinton Mill Cottage, Swinton, Berwickshire, with his maternal grandparents and his mother and some of her siblings. In 1891 he was a scholar residing at Hume, Berwickshire, with his uncle Robert Anderson and grandmother Agnes. And in 1901, John and his sister Mary Anderson were boarders with John and Isabella Robertson and their daughters at Chirnside. His mother Isabella Anderson had married John Robertson in about 1890, it appears.

It is not readily apparent when John Anderson came to New Zealand. He was medically examined for service with the New Zealand Forces on 28 June 1916 at Temuka. By this date he was 39 years 7 months old. He was 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighed 147 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 35½-38 inches, a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His sight was far from good, but his hearing and colour vision were both good. His limbs and chest were well formed, his heart and lungs normal, and his teeth artificial. He was free from illnesses, diseases and fits, was vaccinated, and in good bodily and mental health. South Canterbury’s quota for the Nineteenth Reinforcements left for camp on 26 July 1916. The South Canterbury military district was congratulated on being able to send forward a full quota – 104 men, including J. Anderson. A civic farewell took place – luncheon in Stafford Tea Rooms and speeches at the Drill Shed. He enlisted on 26 July 1916 at Trentham, joining the 19th Reinforcements. A labourer for J. Boyd, Temuka, single and Presbyterian he named as next-of kin both his mother – Mrs I. (amended to J.?) Robertson, Chirnside, Berwickshire, Scotland, and a friend – Mrs W. Scott, 16 Allnatt Street, Temuka. John’s given address was also 16 Allnatt Street, Temuka.

Posted initially to the 19th Reinforcements, G Company, Private Anderson was transferred to Details on 7 October 1916 then back to the 19th Reinforcements on 6 November. In late October, a fair number of friends had gathered at the residence of Mr Scott, Allnatt Street, Temuka, to bid farewell to Private Anderson, who was leaving for the front shortly. A very pleasant evening was spent and during an interval, Mr R. Edgar, called on Miss May Scott to present Private Anderson with a wristlet watch. On Tuesday evening, 31 October 1916, a few friends gathered at the residence of Mr John Cross, Allnatt street, Temuka, to bid farewell to Private John Anderson, who had been on final leave and was to return to camp on Thursday. “A very enjoyable evening was spent in games, music, etc. Mr Hugh McDougall (on behalf of Mr and Mrs John Cross and family) presented Private Anderson, with a writing wallet. Private Anderson suitably responded. Speeches were given testifying to Private Anderson’s sterling character.”

Large crowds witnessed the parade of the Nineteenth Reinforcements on 15 November 1916. “The general appearance of the men was much admired, and they were given many rounds of cheers as they passed through the streets.” [Timaru Herald. 16 Nov 1916.] Rifleman J. Anderson (23388) embarked with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade of the 19th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington per the “Tahiti” on 15 November 1916 and disembarking at Devonport on 29 January 1917. “When the 19th Reinforcements left New Zealand they took with them the best wishes of the Dominion, as exemplified by the cheering crowds that lined the Wellington wharves.” [Press. 27 Nov 1916.] He marched into Sling and was taken on Strength with the NZ Rifle Brigade on 30 January 1917. Proceeding overseas to France from Sling on 1 March 1917, Rifleman Anderson marched in at Etaples on 3 March then out to Segregation on 9 March, before marching back in at Etaples on 2 April. He joined the 2nd Battalion of the NZ Rifle Brigade in the Field on 2 June 1917.

Taking sick on 25 July 1917, he was admitted to No. 1 New Zealand Field Ambulance. He was then admitted to No. 2 Australian Casualty Clearing Station in France on 31 July 1917, till 4 August, suffering from slight bronchitis. On 5 August he was admitted to No. 9 General Hospital (Rouen American Hospital), still afflicted with bronchitis. Embarking for the UK on 11 August, he was admitted to No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst. He had a cough on admission, but he improved greatly at Brockenhurst and his chest was clear. On 2 October he was transferred to the Convalescent Depot at Hornchurch. Leaving Hornchurch on 5 November 1917, on leave, he reported to Codford on 20 November. A recurrence of the bronchitis, however, saw him admitted to No. 3 New Zealand General Hospital at Codford on 16 January 1918 (emphysema, debility and breathlessness). He had been unable to do training in his six months in France. He had also been subject to bronchitis in his early life. Mrs W. Scott, Allnatt Street, Temuka, had received word in mid-August 1917 that Rifleman Jack Anderson (19th Reinforcements) had been admitted to hospital in France, suffering from bronchitis. She received a cable at the beginning of February 1918 stating that he had been admitted to hospital at Codford on January 16, suffering from bronchitis.

At Codford on 9 February 1918, it was determined that his disability was caused by bronchitis which was attributed to the severity of conditions in France (Flanders). His weight had increased considerably. Return to New Zealand was recommended. Anderson was transferred to the New Zealand Discharge Depot at Torquay, England on 15 February 1918. On 16 February 1918, he was classified unfit by the Medical Board (UK), because of emphysema.

Rifleman John Anderson returned to New Zealand per the “Athenic” (Draft No. 160), embarking at Glasgow on 1 April 1918 and arriving on 16 May 1918. A Medical Board which had been assembled on the Transport “Athenic” on 1 May 1918, found that his original disability was emphysema. Due to causes existing prior to enlistment, it was specifically caused by bronchitis. (Anderson had suffered a winter cough for 20 years.) Consequently, he was experiencing breathlessness and a cough. His progress was good, although he experienced hypertension in the chest and breathlessness on exertion. He was considered permanently unfit for Active Service but fit for civil employment. His disability was, in fact, caused by military duty. It was recommended that he be granted seven days sick leave, to be spent at Temuka, that he be discharged as permanently unfit and considered for a pension. A Provisional Medical Board which was assembled on board the Troopship “Athenic” on arrival at Auckland, found that the soldier was suffering from emphysema. He no longer required treatment. Discharge was recommended.

John Anderson and some comrades arrived in Temuka on 20 May and were greeted by a large crowd. “The Temuka Juvenile Band played a welcoming air as the train came in. After receiving a cordial reception from their relatives, the Mayor, Mr Gunnion, and other members of the Patriotic Entertainment Committee, the returned soldiers and their relatives were driven to the post office, the Juvenile Brass Band preceding them. Mr Gunnion said . . . . . . . they had been fighting to keep the flag flying, and had done their best. On behalf of the committee he heartily welcomed them back, and hoped — and he was sure all hoped — that they would soon settle down again in civilian life and get one of the nice little farms that were being opened up for them. He hoped they would marry and settle down, and enjoy every happiness. (Applause.) Cheers were then given for the returned soldiers. Mr Talbot, M.P. said he had great pleasure in welcoming the men on behalf of the whole district. They had 20,000 returned men now and he hoped they soon would be taking part in welcoming their comrades who were still at the front.” After cheers were given for the boys at the front, the men were driven home.

John Anderson was discharged on 13 June 1918, no longer fit for war service on account of illness contracted on active service, and awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His intended address was 16 Allnatt Street, Temuka. From March 1917, Private J Anderson, 19th Reinforcements, appeared on the Active Service List of those who had volunteered to serve the Empire with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces and who had gone from the Temuka district, this list being published regularly by the Temuka Leader.

John Anderson was, indeed, at 16 Allnatt Street in 1922, with Jane Scott who was by then a widow. Mrs Scott was surely a good friend to John Anderson. They had probably known each other from their Chirnside days. William and Jane Scott had come to New Zealand in 1910 with their three daughters who were all born at Chirnside, Berwickshire. Their only son, William Thomas Scott (Tom), who was also born at Chirnside, had come to New Zealand earlier. Tom, too served in World War One. What became of John Anderson? Was Mary Anderson, a younger sister of John, perhaps the Mary Anderson who sailed on the “Ionic” with the Scott family in 1910?

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [21 July 2021]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Collections – Record number 0008360) [21 December 2024]; 1881, 1891, 1901 Scotland census transcriptions (ancestry.com.au) [2021; 20 December 2024]; Timaru Herald, 25 July 1916, 31 October 1916, 3 & 16 November 1916, 4 February 1918, Taranaki Herald, 1 November 1916, Press, 27 November 1916, Temuka Leader, 3 March 1917, 23 August 1917, 16, 18 & 21 May 1918, Evening Post, 31 January 1918, 8 May 1918, Dominion, 31 January 1918, NZ Times, 31 January 1918 (Papers Past) [2021, 21 & 22 December 2024]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [21 December 2024]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

• ANDERSON John, 32288 - newspaper clippings (pdf, 90.1 KB updated 18-Feb-2025)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Scoiety

Currently Assigned to

TS