Alfred Anderson RIP

[ckbeans]

RIP

ckbeans

[Will O'Brien]

Sad news..................Raising a glass to you tonight Alfred. Reunited with the friends of your youth

[ianw]

As a grandson of an Old Contemptible, I feel most upset that we now bid the last of them farewell. Goodbye to that extraordinary army of 1914. The parade is now complete and there will be a few beers in the canteen tonight.

But oh what a blessing that he was given a chance to tell his extraordinary story so entertainingly in the recent TV programme. I hoped he was able to view it and reflect on a job well done and a life well lived.

Condolences to his family and friends.

We Will Remember Them.

[985acoy]

a star, goodbye jock r i p

985

[Jerrymurland]

Sleep well old fella ...............

[George Armstrong Custer]

From the Dundee 'Courier':

SCOTLAND’S OLDEST man, and one of the few remaining veterans of the first world war, has died at the age of 109.

Dundee-born Alfred Anderson, who lived in the Perthshire town of Alyth for many of his later years, passed away peacefully yesterday morning.

The Black Watch veteran lived in three centuries, survived two world wars, witnessed the reign of six monarchs and was governed by an incredible 26 prime ministers. His death is all the more poignant as it comes just days after the November 11 Remembrance Day parades.

Until very recently, Mr Anderson lived independently and had reached celebrity status.

It is believed his death brings the number of surviving first world war servicemen to eight.

The Rev Neil Gardner, of Alyth Parish Church, was a former Black Watch chaplain and knew Mr Anderson well.

“Alfred passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning,” he said.

“He was Scotland’s oldest man but remained lucid almost until the end. He was a very gracious and unassuming man. He lived a truly remarkable life.”

For many years Mr Anderson was a member of the congregation at Mr Gardner’s church.

“Alfred was quite philosophical about his wartime experiences—he was never up or down, he took everything in his stride,” said Mr Gardner. “He had a great sense of humour but also a terrific sense of wisdom which came from his great age.”

By the time war was declared in 1914 Mr Anderson was an experienced Territorial Army soldier. He was posted to Le Harve where he faced a constant barrage of shells and bullets.

He fought at the Battle of Loos and for a time served as batman to the late Queen Mother’s brother, Captain Fergus Bowes-Lyon.

On one occasion Mr Anderson lost many friends when, while entrenched on the Somme front, a shell exploded overhead.

He was injured after being hit by shrapnel in the neck and shoulder but managed to crawl to the officers’ dugout where a field dressing was applied to his wounds. He had to lie all day in agony, waiting for darkness when he could be removed by stretcher back to the trenches.

Invalided out of the army in 1916, Mr Anderson took over his father’s Newtyle joinery business.

He founded the British Legion in the village and trained the local football team. He was also involved with the Scouts.

Mr Anderson married Susanna Iddison in 1917. They had five children.

When the second world war broke out he joined the local defence volunteers, which later became the Home Guard—or “Dad’s Army” as he joked.

In 1977, Mr Anderson and his wife celebrated their diamond wedding with their big family of 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Sadly Mrs Anderson died two years later.

Mr Anderson continued to be active in the British Legion and attended every Remembrance Day service, laying the wreath, until he was 105.

He received the Legion d’Honneur from the French government in 1998 and in 2003 was named as Alyth citizen of the year.

When Mr Anderson reached 106 he enjoyed a surprise visit from Prince Charles.

He had learned of the Dundee veteran’s role as batman to his grand-mother’s brother and wanted to talk to him first-hand.

Mr Anderson recently recalled the visit.

“Prince Charles had a cup of tea and stayed an hour,” he remarked. “A right down-to-earth man he was. No fuss about him at all.”

For his next birthday, Charles sent a hand-written letter and a bouquet of roses.

Prince Charles yesterday urged the public not to forget the courage of the servicemen who gave their lives for our freedom.

He said: “I was very deeply saddened to hear that Alfred Anderson had died.

“I met Alfred on several occasions, once at his home in the small town of Alyth in Perthshire, and more recently at Balhousie Castle in Perth.

“As many in Scotland and beyond will know, he had a legendary reputation within The Black Watch and had a special connection with my grandmother’s family through his service with her older brother Captain Fergus Bowes-Lyon at the battle of Loos in 1915.

“He will be missed by many. We should not forget him, and the others of his generation who have given so much for their country.”

Mr Anderson was remarkably sprightly up until very recently and was hugely respected across Britain—his views often being sought by local and national media.

Fellow Alyth resident and Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser was sad to learn of the veteran’s death.

“Alfred Anderson was a remarkable man whose life spanned three centuries,” the politician said.

“He was one of the last few survivors of the first world war, and as such his opinions were regularly sought by journalists and documentary-makers.

“Despite his great age he lived life to the full and until very recently lived alone. It was only a decline in his health which led him to move into a nursing home where he spent the last few months.

“I send condolences on behalf of my colleagues in the Scottish Parliament to his family.”

Other local politicians also paid their respects.

“Mr Anderson lived a long and distinguished life, serving his country in the brutal first world war,” Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart remarked.

“His and other veterans’ sacrifice during the war ensured the freedom that we enjoy today.”

North Tayside MSP John Swinney said, “Mr Anderson was a truly great man.

“Along with his comrades at the age of 18 he fought bravely in the trenches of the Western Front.

“We must remember the real sacrifices he made for our current liberty.

“It is with great sorrow that I heard of his passing and my sympathies are with his family.”

Veterans’ Minister Don Touhig later said, “The sacrifices made and remarkable bravery displayed by Mr Anderson and his comrades is a lesson for us all.

“I am sure he will be greatly missed and, as the Minister for Veterans, I would like to pass on my condolences to his family and friends.”

The affection in which the town of Alyth held Mr Anderson was clear to see as a bust of him was unveiled at the the local library earlier this year.

To celebrate the 109-year-old’s birthday, the bust was revealed at a family celebration and will eventually be put on display at The Black Watch museum in Perth, further strengthening the bond between Mr Anderson and the regiment he served with such honour during the first world war.

[stu]

This is very sad news,his story was so interesting the other day on the Last Tommies programe.

RIP Alfred.

Stu

[George Armstrong Custer]

OBITUARIES

The Times November 22, 2005

Alfred Anderson

June 25, 1896 - November 21, 2005

Last known holder of the Mons Star who survived the putrid trenches of the First World War

ALFRED ANDERSON was already a soldier on the outbreak of the First World War, known until the 1940s as the Great War; he was a private in the Black Watch 5th Battalion. This was a unit of the new Territorial Force formed from yeomanry and militia units under Haldane’s Territorial and Reserve Forces Act of 1907. Anderson and a group of friends enlisted in 1912 when he was 18. He joined chiefly to attend the annual camp — as a holiday. Anderson’s father was a strict and hard-working owner of a small joinery yard, and his family did not have holidays.

Immediately after annual camp at Monzie, about 15 miles west of Perth in July 1914, 5th Black Watch was mobilised and concentrated at Dundee for intensive training ready to join the British Expeditionary Force in France. In his later years Anderson recalled the battalion’s departure from Dundee in October. Far from the popular image of marching through streets packed with cheering “stay-at-homes” and weeping mothers and sweethearts, the men were driven in trucks before dawn through deserted streets to a station closed to the public for the troops’ departure. Two days later they were enduring bitterly cold nights in a tented camp at Le Havre.

The ensuing months were spent in the misery of the trenches, with all the horror of artillery bombardment, mud and trench foot. One advantage Anderson held over his comrades was derived from his experience of assisting his father in his secondary work as the village of Newtyle’s undertaker. He had grown accustomed to the sight of corpses since the age of 14.

During the winter of 1914-15, Anderson was assigned to an officer as his orderly, first to Lieutenant I. M. Bruce-Gardyne and then, while the former went home on a course, to Captain Fergus Bowes-Lyon, the brother of the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Bowes-Lyon was killed in the opening stage of the battle of Loos on September 25/26, 1915, but Anderson survived, as did Bruce-Gardyne. The following year the two were manning a listening post in a shallow depression between the lines when a shell burst almost immediately overhead. Anderson was wounded in the neck and shoulder by shrapnel and evacuated to an improvised hospital in Norfolk.

When granted home leave, he was welcomed joyfully by his family but the sisters of a friend who had been killed denied him entry to their house when he called to express his sympathy because, as they put it: “You’re here and he’s not.”

Recovered from his wounds, he was posted to an infantry training camp at Ripon and eventually became a sergeant instructor. When hostilities ceased, he contemplated becoming a regular soldier, as he liked the life, but his father’s health was not good and he felt responsible for the family business, to which he returned.

In the Second World War, he served as a sergeant in the Home Guard, commanding the Newtyle platoon. He closed his business when he was 60 and worked for the next 19 years for Dundee County Council and then Perth City Council. On November 10, 1998, the eve of the 80th anniversary of Armistice Day 1918, he was invested as a Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur by the French Consul-General in Scotland as a mark of gratitude by the French Government for his service in France.

He married Susanna Iddison in 1917. She predeceased him, as did a son and daughter. He is survived by two sons and two daughters.

He was the last known holder of the Mons Star, awarded to those who fought with what the Kaiser dismissed as “Britain’s contemptible little Army” at the Battle of Mons in August 1914. He was reputed to be the oldest man in Scotland. His death leaves eight known surviving British veterans of the First World War who saw action overseas.

Alfred Anderson, Black Watch veteran of the First World War, was born on June 25, 1896. He died on November 21, 2005, aged 109.

[gord97138]

Our National News station (NBC) just did a piece on Alfred's passing a few moments ago.

God Speed from the States Alfred-You shall not be Forgotton!

I'm going to our American Legion Club tonight-I'll raise a glass for you!

gordon

[frev]

Thank you to all those who have given us a little of Alfred's story

It sounds like he'd seen it all

now he can rest & forget

while we remember for him

here's cheers to you Alfred

and peace

Frev.

[J T Gray]

Last night I was fixing my bicycle in the kitchen while my housemate watched the news. He's not prone to deep analysis, but I thought I'd share his words when he saw the article on Alfred Anderson.

"Now HE'S a hero! Not some p*****-up footballer!"

Not very sympathetic to one family out there, but nonetheless I think a fair point...

Adrian

[carninyj]

a standart o' the pride

And independence of a folk whase sperit's

Free and winna bou til thirldom ever

Regards

Carninyj

[Stephen White]

I saw the news of his death late last night on the BBC news, so soon after seeing him on the televison in The Last Tommy as well.

Sparing a thought for him, Alfred Anderson, may you Rest In Peace.

Stephen

[Antonio83]

Now he's catching the Train filled with old comrades; there's much to say when old friends meet themselves after a long time.

Rest in peace, Alfred.

[Ozzie]

Rest in peace, Sir.

Lest We Forget.

Kim

[Guest PeteH]

Rest in peace, Sir.

Lest We Forget.

Kim

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A great man......RIP,Sir

[Soren]

Yes R.I.P

[Joy Lynch]

I may be mistaken, but I think Alfred was the Veteran War gentleman who added in the Last Tommies Commentary. WHY why, all those lives !

He added - sort it round the table.

Of course I may be quoting the wrong veteran soldier, if so my apologies.

I would like to add my tributes to Alfred's remarkable longevity and wonderfully served life. I appreciate hearing his thoughts and commentary recently.

[toofatfortakeoff]

The history livces on with those who knew them RIP

[Drummy]

Alfred Anderson died yesterday I believe, an article appeared in today's Daily Mail. To my knowledge he was the last surviving pre war TF soldier, the last 1914 star holder, the last participant in the Christmas truce and last (?) Black Watch soldier of the Great War . He was recently featured on TV, in the 'Last Tommy'.

I hope the regiment (subject of course to the wishes of the NOK) are represented at the funeral, it is also sad to think that the Black Watch themselves will soon disappear in the form we currently know them.

[2ndCMR]

Gone to a well-earned rest. IPR.

What is to be the fate of the Black Watch? Another amalgamation?

[Drummy]

It will become the 3rd Battalion of a new regiment, to be formed from all the existing Scottish regiments, in March 2006, which will be called the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

[Martyn Gibson]

It's been a long journey Alfred, and now the reunion is complete. Rest in Peace

Martyn and Family

[susanhemmings]

Gone to the greater Army in the Sky. Reunited with old chums.

But never, ever forgotton.

RIP Alfred.

God Bless

[Kate Wills]

and so into the silent night Alfred;

Sleep in Heavenly peace.