Anderson, William Bruce
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Regiment: 5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Biography: Son of William N. Anderson, mason ; born Aberdeen, 17 June 1888 ; educated at Robert Gordon's College ; student in Arts and Agricultural Science ; graduated M.A., 1911 Before finishing his B.Sc. (Agr.) he went to Canada with his family. He was engaged in teaching and was studying Science at Toronto up till 1914 when he returned to Aberdeen University and completed a winter session in Honours Classics course, as he found Classics would lead to a better future for him in Canada. Anderson enlisted in the 4th Gordons, 16 April 1915, and was commissioned 2nd. Lieutenant, 5th Gordon Highlanders, 11 September 1915, with which Battalion he saw much service and distinguished himself. He received the Military Cross, 13 November 1916, for great bravery in leading his men after all the other officers were either killed or wounded, and in capturing 170 Germans. He was killed in action at Arras, 7 April 1917. His loss was a very severe one to his Battalion, for he had the soldiering instincts in a marked degree and was certain of promotion.
Honours: Military Cross
Date of Death: 07 April 1917
Burial Details: Buried at Marœvil British Cemetery, Plot 4, Row D, Grave 7.
Publication: Roll of Service, edited by Mabel Desborough Allardyce. Published 1921.
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