David Anderson was the youngest child of William and Martha Anderson. David was born on 2nd July 1895 in Tobermore, County Londonderry. Sadly, GRONI records suggest his mother Martha died during child birth. His father was both a farmer and a hotel keeper. David went to live in Canada. He enlisted on 24th September 1917 in Edmonton, Alberta where he had been working as a motor driver. Private David Anderson was serving with ‘C’ Company with the 49th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry when he was killed in action on the 29th September 1918. He was 23 years old. In his will, dated 5th November 1917, he left all to his sister Mary Hill Anderson who was also living in Edmonton, Alberta.
Further Information
David Anderson was the youngest child of William and Martha Anderson. William Anderson married Martha Lawrence in the district of Magherafelt on 16th August 1876.
David A Lawrence Anderson was born on 2nd July 1895 in Tobermore, County Londonderry. Sadly, GRONI records suggest his mother Martha died during child birth.
The 1901 census lists David A as age 5 living with the family at house 2 in Tobermore Town, County Londonderry. His father was a widower. He was both a Farmer and a Hotel Keeper.
The 1911 census lists David A L as age 16 living with the family at house 2 in Tobermore Town, Londonderry. His father still worked as both a Farmer and a Hotel Keeper. Only he and his sister Sadie still lived with his father. David was still at school.
Family: William Anderson, Martha Anderson (died 2nd July 1895, aged 38), Mary Hill Anderson (born 13th May 1877), Annie Anderson (born 29th November 1878), Robert Anderson (born 29th June 1880), Samuel Anderson (born 18th March 1882), Margaret Anderson (born 15th May 1884), Martha R Anderson (born 2nd September 1885), William Anderson (born 22nd November 1886), Thomas J Anderson (born 12th August 1889), Sarah ‘Sadie’ Ethel Anderson (born 18th June 1892), David A Lawrence Anderson (born 2nd July 1895).
David went to live in Canada.
David Anderson enlisted on 24th September 1917 in Edmonton, Alberta where he had been living. He was 22 years old and had been working as a motor driver. He was 5 ft 10½ in tall. He named his father as his next of kin.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 21st October 1915: (brother of David Anderson)
The relatives of William Anderson, son of Mr Anderson, for a long time owner of The Hotel, Tobermore, and new of Canada, have received a letter saying that he has been slightly wounded by shrapnel, and that he hopes to be back in the firing line soon. Mr Anderson, along with his brother, arrived with a Canadian contingent some time ago, and paid a visit to their uncle, Mr T J Anderson, J.P., of Mossview, Maghera. They have taken part in some of the severe fighting at the front since then.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 25th November 1915: (brother of David Anderson)
Trooper William Anderson, formerly of Tobermore, is at present on a visit to his uncle, Mr T J Anderson, J.P., Mossview, Maghera. Trooper Anderson has been at the front with the Canadian contingent since August. He was recently wounded by a shrapnel bullet in the face, but is now quite recovered.
Private David Anderson was serving with ‘C’ Company with the 49th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry when he was killed in action on the 29th September 1918. He was 23 years old.
The Canadian Circumstances of Death Register records that Private Anderson was killed in action on 29th September 1918. Whilst on patrol in front of Tilloy he was hit in the head by a bullet from the rifle of an enemy sniper and was killed instantly.
In his will, dated 5th November 1917, he left all to his sister Mary Hill Anderson who was also living in Edmonton, Alberta.
Private Anderson is buried in Raillencourt Communal Cemetery Extension in Cambrai, Nord, France
Private is also commemorated on the family gravestone in Tobermore Presbyterian Churchyard.
The CWGC record Private David Lawrence Anderson oddly as the son of William and Lawrence Anderson, of Londonderry, Ireland.
