Name
Frederick Anderson
20/05/1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/03/1918
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
513442
London Regiment (London Scottish)
14th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ORCHARD DUMP CEMETERY, ARLEUX-EN-GOHELLE
VI. J. 7.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no family inscription on his Headstone
UK & Other Memorials
East Barnet War Memorial, St Mary the Virgin Church Memorial, East Barnet, New Barnet War Memorial, Barnet memorials not yet fully researched(*1), St Thomas' Mission Hall, Green Tye, St Thomas' Church Memorial, Perry Green, Much Hadham Village Memorial. St Andrew’s Church Memorial, Much Hadham, Stone Bench Plaque, Much Hadham, Congregational Church Memorial, Hadham Cross
Pre War
Frederick Anderson was born on 20 May 1896, in High Cross, Herts, son of James Anderson a General Dealer and Alice (nee Taylor) Anderson. One of eight children.
Baptised on 26 July 1896, at Saint John’s Church, High Cross, Herts.
1901 Census record Frederick aged 4, living with his parents, and six siblings in, High Cross, Herts. His father’s occupation is given as a Coal Merchant.
By 1911 the family were living at “The Bakery” 1 Jubilee Terrace, Church Hill Road, East Barnet, Herts, where his father was recorded as a Master Baker, running his own family Bakery Business. Frederick was working for his father as a Rounds Boy. Later becoming a Baker himself.
Wartime Service
Frederick enlisted at New Barnet on 10 December 1915, and posted to the Army Reserve on 11 December 1915, mobilized and posted to the London Regiment on 10 April 1916, with the service number 7508 and then 513442.
He entered France on 9 September 1916, sailing from Southampton to Le Havre. He was hospitalized with Synovitis of his right ankle and knee in October 1916. Returning to England on 2 November 1916, and served at home until 1 November 1917, at the London Command Depot possibly because he was suffering from Synovitis of his right ankle and knee. He returned to the Western Front on 2 November 1917 and was killed in action near Whtschaete in Belgium on 28 March 1918.
The Mars Offensive 28th March 1918:
The German objective was to capture Arras and then move on to take Vimy Ridge and Boulogne. Within a week.
The British were defending a 10-mile front between Authuille and Oppy. The London Scottish was in the thick of the fighting throughout that day.
London Scottish War Diary Extract 28/3/1918:
03.00 - A gas and high explosive barrage commenced.
07.30 - They counter attacked and drove back enemy, re-taking two machine guns previously taken by the enemy.
08.15 – ‘C’ Company in Ouse Ally, remainder moved to Bow Trench.
10.05 – ‘C’ Company moved to Bailleul East Post.
10.30 – The enemy advanced on Bailleul East Post.
14.45 – 1700 – the Lines held by the London Scottish were heavily shelled.
Additional Information
His effects of, £8-5s-7d, Pay Owing and £9, War Gratuity went to his father James.
His brother of Private Alfred Anderson, who also served with the London Regiment (London Scottish), was killed on 14 October 1918, is also commemorated on these memorials.
*1 If known, the ‘Barnet’ memorial is given, however ‘Barnet’ now appears to be the generic name for many historically separate Hertfordshire locations with Barnet in their name. While we try to unravel these – any help gratefully received! – we have to record ‘Barnet’. It may be that a person appears on several historical ‘barnets’. As this work is done, we will add further detail.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Malcolm Lennox, “Lest We Forget – Much Hadham 1914-18” by Richard Maddams (Much Hadham Forge Museum)
