Anderson, Joseph
No.323 Private Joseph Anderson – 44th Battalion AIF
Joseph Anderson was born in Stockholm Sweden in 1881 to Anders & Kristina Anderson. It is unknown at what date he came to live in Fremantle though he was a naturalized British Citizen. While residing at the Duke of York Hotel in Bannister Street Fremantle he was plying his trade as a sailor.
He enlisted in Perth on the 8th January 1916 and spent the first month in depot service before he was passed as medically fit. He was found to be 5 feet 7 inches in height; weighed 160 lbs; chest measurement of 40-42 inches; fresh complexion; brown eyes & brown hair. His religious denomination was Lutheran.
Joseph joined B Company of the 44th Battalion with the regimental number 323 at Claremont Showground’s Camp. After several months training as a unit in Western Australia, the 44th Battalion embarked at Fremantle on the 6th June 1916 aboard the A29 Suevic. The journey across was largely uneventful though Joseph was fined 2/6 for gambling while aboard the ship. After their arrival in England the 44th trained at Salisbury Plains from July till November 1916 and according to the records Joseph’s only break was when he was sent to hospital for a week in August. Though no doubt he was also given leave during his period of training.
On the 25th November 1916 the 44th Battalion embarked for France, though they did not actually go into the front line until late December 1916. They garrisoned the front line in the vicinity of Armentieres. No.323 Private Joseph Anderson was the first member of the 44th Battalion to be killed in action. On the 31st December 1916 he was buried by a shell explosion and was not able to be dug out in time. The 44th Battalion history mentions the bizarre fact that their first three battle deaths had surnames that began with A, B and C.
Joseph’s comrades buried him at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery Armentieres Plot 3.C.40.
His effects and medals were sent to his family in Stockholm Sweden.