Corporal John Anderson, 1st Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
To hear John’s story read by Campbell Burns; please press play on the audio file.
You can read his story in full and the stories of 71 of his comrades,
in a new 300 page book
SCONE REMEMBERS
OUR MEN FROM THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918
For details and how to get your copy, email [email protected] or use the comments box
Corporal John Anderson 8810, 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
John Anderson was born in Banchory, in the parish of Coupar Angus, on 9th March 1883. His parents were Thomas and Marjorie Anderson. By 1891, the family had moved to Scone and John was being educated in Scone Public School. On leaving school John worked as a ploughman. In 1902, at the age of 19, he enlisted into the regular army was involved in the Boer War. He married Elizabeth Reid and they had 5 children. On the outbreak of WW1, he joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and saw action in France and Salonika. The hardship experienced during his long campaign affected his health and he was admitted to hospital in Constantinople in 1918.
Corporal John Anderson died as result of pneumonia, on 22nd December 1918. He is buried in Plot 1, Row D, Grave 8 of Haidar Pasha Cemetery, which is situated on high ground in the suburb of Istanbul. John was 35 years old. He was awarded the Star, Victory and British war medals.
Hazel Archibald (John and Elizabeth’s granddaughter) tells us that Elizabeth was decorating the house for Christmas when the news came of John’s death. The family never decorated the house at Christmas ever again.
bigbangwp_additional_html
Hazel Archibald
Jun 13, 2014 -
This was my grandfather. He did not have four sons. He had 2 sons the oldest of whom died at age 5 in 1913. He also had three daughters. The youngest Elizabeth ( my mum) was 2 when he died.Her mum was decorating the house for Christmas when the news came of his death. They never decorated the house at Christmas ever again.
Laura Short
Jun 18, 2014 -
This one of the few photographs I have seen of my grandfather John Anderson. Thank you. Regards Laura Short
Hazel Archibald
Oct 14, 2015 -
Two poems in memory of my grandparents whose story is so moving –
December 26th 1918
Wha kens the pain
That dread nicht brocht
That darksome,,frozen,hoary eve
When joy was stolen from her hert
To be replaced by blackest grief?
Her man clean felled
By winter’s draught
In a far land.
Whar wis the place
He laid his bonny heid
For that last time?
Salonica! Whit a name!
Nae warm freendly
Perthshire hame,
But a sodden,sullen
Foreign bield
In a far land.
Whit God could steal
Her man awa’?
Her man who’d focht
For fower hard years
Tae mak a world
O’ peace and hope.
And noo he’s lying
Dead and cauld
In a far land.
My grandfather called my grandmother his Rose of Tralee. This is also for them from their grandchildren in loving memory – the children of wee Lizzie who never knew her dad.
The Song
‘Gi’e your love to me
Ma”Rose of Tralee”‘
He would lilt when they were first wed.
‘A’ll gi’e ye ma love’ she wid whisper sae shy
As they lay in the warmth o’ their bed.
‘Gi’e yer hand tae me
Ma ‘Rose of Tralee’
He wid urge when her trials had begun.
‘A’ll gi’e ye ma haund’ she wid whisper sae fierce
Fir oor bairnie will syne be born.
‘Gi’e yer prayers tae me
Ma “Rose of Tralee” ‘
He asked as he marched tall and proud.
‘A’ll gi’e ye ma prayers’ she whispered sae sad,
But the war songs were roaring too loud.
‘Gi’e yer tears fir yer da
Ma bonnie wee bairns,
Fir his body lies ower the sea,
And never again will his sweet voice ring oot
As he sings me ‘The Rose of Tralee,.
Hazel Archibald 1915.
Peter Olsen
Oct 16, 2015 -
Dear Hazel
Thank you for this. These poems would be a great addition to the individuals story, we would love to publish them. if you are in agreement.
regards
Pete
Scone Remembers
Hazel archibald
Apr 8, 2016 -
I am quite happy for you to use them and publish them.Hazel