Anderson, Henry George

No.1580 Sergeant Henry George Anderson – 48^th Battalion AIF

Henry George Anderson was born in Islington London in 1887 to Thomas and Caroline Anderson. According to the 1891 census the family lived in Hackney. Henry had several siblings, Thomas, Robert, Caroline, Clara, Ernest and Helen. The 1901 census still has the family living in Hackney and the addition of another family member called Florence. In approximately 1910 he moved to Western Australia with his brother Ernest Charles Anderson and set up house in Edmund Street South Fremantle and then Forrest Street Fremantle. Henry had worked as a Steward for the Orient Line but prior to the war had been working for WA Government Railways.

Henry enlisted into the AIF on the 9^th January 1915 where he was passed as fit by the medical officer. He was found to be 5 feet 8 ¾ inches in height; 164 lbs in weight; 39 inches in chest measurement; fair complexion; blue eyes and light hair. His religious denomination was Church of England.

Assigned to the 3^rd Reinforcements to the 16^th Battalion he was sent to Melbourne where they embarked on the A54 Runic 25^th February 1915. After arrival in Egypt Henry apparently joined up with the 16^th Battalion and landed with them on the evening of the 25^th April. On the 19^th July he was promoted Corporal and he was wounded on the 8^th of August 1915 as the 16^th Battalion was attempting to make headway towards Hill 971.

Evacuated back to Mudros, his wound in the back was deemed serious enough for him to be sent to hospital in England. Henry was admitted to No.3 London General Hospital at Wadsworth. He slowly recovered but stayed in England till 1916, firstly being assigned to the 4^th training battalion, then transferring to the 12^th training battalion. Henry was assigned to the new 48^th Battalion of which the 12^th training battalion was their depot in England.

Henry joined the 48^th Battalion in France in September 1916. Soon after arrival he was appointed as Lance Sergeant and on the 4^th April 1917 was promoted to full Sergeant.

On the 11^th April 1917, the 48^th Battalion was involved in the disastrous attack on Bullecourt. The 48^th Battalion stayed the longest in the German lines out of any Australian unit and their casualties reflected this. Henry did not answer roll call nor was his body found. He was thought to have died in the German lines at Bullecourt and as we did not hold the ground his body was not recovered. He is therefore commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial. His father Thomas, living in Stanford Hill London, received Henry’s effects & medals.

His brother Ernest Charles Anderson continued to live in Fremantle where he died in 1929.