Person

Born in Castle Eden, John Anderson was working as a miner at Wingate when he enlisted at West Hartlepool in the 13th (Service) Battalion DLI in September 1914 aged 22. During the 3rd Battle of Ypres in October 1917, he used his Lewis gun to drive back over 20 attacking Germans and was awarded the Military Medal. In June 1918 during an attack on 13 DLI’s trenches at Asiago in northern Italy, his machine gun halted the Austrian attack. Later he went into No Man’s Land and took prisoners. He was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Sergeant John Anderson was killed in action at Beaurevoir on 5 October 1918. His brother, William – also a Sergeant with the 13th Battalion DLI – was killed in action in 1917.

Awarded Military Medal as 24803 Corporal 13th Battalion DLI. Citation: “For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the operations in October 1917. He was in charge of a Lewis gun and repelled two enemy patrols. Whilst on sentry duty at his post he saw a party of about twenty men advancing towards him. He crawled out to them, thinking they were a party of our own men, trying to get in touch with him. He challenged them three times when one of the party advanced to within three yards of him. On finding him to be one of the enemy he shot him with his revolver, then ran back to his gun and dispersed the party, killing several of them. During a barrage he fired his gun continuously on the advancing enemy.”

Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal as 24803 Sergeant 13th Battalion DLI. Citation: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 16th June 1918. During an enemy attack he handled his four Lewis guns with great skill and judgement. On one occasion he himself accounted for the entire team of an enemy machine gun. Later he went out into ‘No Man’s Land’ and brought back several unwounded and wounded prisoners. Throughout the battle he set a splendid example of courage and cheerfulness to all.”

Where to look for more information about this person:

His medals are in the DLI Collection. https://www.dur.ac.uk/library/asc/dlimedals/

http://dlimuseum.durham.gov.uk/pgFullBiography.aspx?BioId=21462&BioSurname=Anderson&AZ=Y

The London Gazette, 11 December 1917: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30424/supplement/13006

The London Gazette, 29 October 1918: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30983/supplement/12808

Commonwealth War Graves Commission: http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/587790/ANDERSON,%20J

The North East War Memorials Project: http://www.newmp.org.uk/detail.php?contentId=9189

Civil Parish: Hutton Henry

Birth date: 1891

Death date: 5-Oct-1918

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 11 Millbank Terrace, Wingate (1911 census)

Employment: Coal miner, putter, below ground (1911 census)

Family: Parents: Henry (coal miner, stoneman) and Mary Anderson
Brothers: William and Joseph
Sisters: Isabella and Mary
(1901 and 1911 census)
William also served with 13 DLI and was killed in action 1917.

Military service:

Served as 24803 Private, later Sergeant, with the 13th Battalion DLI.

Medal(s): Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Memorial(s): Beaurevoir British Cemetery, France
Holy Trinity Church, Wingate

Gender: Male

Contributed by Durham County Record Office