Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918

Pte Gordon Roy Anderson, photographed in Melbourne before his departure.

Photo courtesy of Bev Armstrong.

Anderson G R  Pte  2433    Gordon Roy  3 Pioneer Bn    22    Driver    Single    Pres        

Address: Essendon, Buckley Park    

Next of Kin: Anderson, James, father, Buckley Park, Essendon    

Enlisted: 17 Jul 1916      

Embarkation: A10 Karroo 18 Sep 1916 

Prior service CMF 58 Inf Regt     

Relatives on Active Service:

Anderson D C Pte 507          brother

Anderson-J-G-Driver-2204      brother

Anderson W C Driver 12236 brother

Pte Gordon Anderson embarked with the 3rd Reinforcements of the 3rd Pioneer Battalion, arriving at Plymouth on 15 July 1916, but was transferred to the Australian Army Service Corps on 1 Jan 1917 where he was appointed Driver at the Training Depot Parkhouse.  On 5 May 1917 Gordon transferred to 31 AASC where his older brother Jim was attached.   Older brothers could request younger brothers to be transferred to their units, and this presumably had occurred.

Gordon Anderson photographed in London.  Photo courtesy of Bev Armstrong.

 After several quick transfers he was taken on strength of the 5th Australian Divisional Train

on 16 October 1917.  Fifteen months later, after the end of the war, Gordon was promoted to

Temporary Corporal, on 22 January 1919.  On 14 May 1919 he reverted to Lance Corporal

and returned to England on 28 May 1919.   Driver Gordon Anderson later returned to France

on 2 October 1919 to join the 1st Australian Divisional Train.  The two photos, taken in France,

appear to have been taken at the same property - the bench seat is the same one - and

given the corporal's stripe, was probably taken between 22 January and 14 May  1919. 

Gordon is seated on the right in both photos.  Photo courtesy of Bev Armstrong.

Temporary Corporal Gordon Anderson seated front right, in France, 1919. 

Photo courtesy of Bev Armstrong.

See also Gordon included in a group photo on his brother Bill's page, W C Anderson, 12236.

The photos, mementos and medals below are courtesy of Janine Beamish.

Medallion presented to Gordon Anderson by the Shire of Keilor on his return.

Gordon's Service Medals.

Gordon Anderson's RSL badges.

Gordon's hat badge.

Mentioned in this correspondence:

Anderson-J-G-Driver-2204-England-and-France-1917 12 Sep 1917 at Parkhouse Camp, Salisbury.

Anderson-J-G-Driver-2204-England-and-France-1918 

War Service Commemorated

Essendon Town Hall A-F

Essendon State School

Essendon High School                                                                                                                        

Essendon Gazette Roll of Honour With the Colours