Name
John Henry Anderson
21 Apr 1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/04/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
460667
Canadian Infantry
44th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BRUAY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
D. 16.
France
Headstone Inscription
THE STIFE IS O'ER
UK & Other Memorials
Tring Town Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring
Pre War
John Henry Anderson was born on 21 Apr 1895 in Berkhamsted, Tring to Frederick Anderson, and Mary Jane (nee Smart).
On the 1881 Census Mary Jane Anderson was living with son William J (born 1877), daughter Ellen (born 1879) at 10 New Mill Terrace, Berkhamsted, Her father Jonathan Smart’s home.
On the 1891 Census Mary Jane, now described as a widow, with her children William J, Ellen, Jane (born 1891), was living her widowed mother at 1 Grove , Berkhamsted also recorded was Ethel Smart (born 1887).
On the 1901 Census John was living with his widowed mother, and sister Jane at 2, Zetland Place, Berkhamsted. Tring.
On the 1911 Census John was an errand boy for a Chemist and was living with his mother, sister Jane, an envelope finisher at a paper mill, Florrie Annie, granddaughter, born 1910 and a lodger, Mary Ann Bligh (born 1837) at 15, Church Lane, Tring.
John migrated to Canada sometime around 1912 - 1914
Wartime Service
John attested on 17 Jun 1915 in Winnipeg, Manitoba as Private 460667 in 61 Battalion. Stating his occupation as tinsmith’s helper. Following training his Unit embarked on SS ‘Olympic’ on 1 Apr 1916 arriving Bordon on 11 Apr. He was transferred into 44 Battalion Canadian Infantry (Manitoba) at nearby Bramshott on 12 May 1916. John was sent on a course for the Stokes Mortar at Pirbright on 27 Jul 1916 and went to France with his Unit as component of the 4th Canadian Division on 10 Aug 1916 landing at Le Havre on 12 Aug and were deployed to the Somme Sector.
on 29 Sep 16 he was sick with inflammation of stomach and was evacuated to 4 Stationary Hospital (St Omer) before being admitted to 10 Stationary Hospital (also St Omer) on 1 Oct 1916. By 7 Oct he was returned to 4 Stationary Hospital and returned to his Unit on 1 Nov 1916. He would have taken part in the later battles of the Somme such as Ancre Heights ( 1 Oct – 11 Nov 1916) and Ancre (!3 – 18 Nov 1916). The four Canadian Divisions were deployed to the Arras Sector in 1917 preparatory to the Battle of Vimy Ridge (9 -14 Apr 1917).
In the period before this Battle on 30 Mar 1917 John was wounded (Right Knees, possible shellfire)) and treated at 22 Casualty Clearing Station at Bruay and he died of his wounds there on 3 Apr 1917.
Additional Information
His mother, Mrs M J Anderson, ordered his headstone while living at 15 Church Lane. Tring, Herts., in reads: "THE STIFE IS O'ER".
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
