Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Robert Anderson was the only son of Joseph Anderson native of Felling near Gateshead born 1860 and Charlotte Venus born 1867 at Crook, County Durham. His parents were married in the district of Gateshead in 1886 initially living for a short time at Widnes, Lancashire where he was born in 1889. Robert and his father had returned to the north east by 1891 living with his cousin John Kirkham and his wife at Havelock Street, Joseph was employed as a joiner. Ten years later he was the manager of the Swan Inn next to the Vicarage of St Mary’s Heworth.
On the outbreak of war Robert and his family were living at Jarrow where he was employed as a miner, he enlisted at Gateshead, September 6th 1914. Assigned as Private 17774 to the 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry he was stationed at Newcastle-upon-Tyne until the 21st when he was sent to Aylesbury until October 3rd 1914 and transferred to Calton Park until October 21st. After initial training and the consignment of khaki uniforms and leather equipment in July 1915 the battalion departed attached to the 68th Brigade, 23rd Division, August 25th 1915 to France and within days were in the trenches. They did not participate at the Battle of Loos but spent the rest of 1915 and early 1916 in the trenches near Armentieres and Souchez. In late June 1916, the 23rd Division was moved south to the Somme and the 12th Battalion entered the fighting south of La Boisselle July 7th 1916. After spending most of August in reserve at Armentieres, they returned to the Somme. On October 7th 1916, assisted by tanks, they attacked and captured the Tangle, a complex of trenches and machine guns, east of Le Sars. Some 70 German prisoners were taken but the battalion lost over 30 men killed and 80 wounded. After this fighting, the battalion left the Somme for the Ypres Salient.
Having risen through the ranks Corporal 17774 Robert Anderson was killed in action on the salient, May 5th 1917 and interred at the site of the Railway Dugouts and Transport Farm. During the summer of 1917 many of the graves were obliterated by shell fire, his being one of them and their markings lost. His sacrifice is recorded on Special Memorial D. 9 within Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm), West Vlaanderen, Belgium, where he is believed to have been buried and bears the words, “Their Glory Shall Not Be Blotted Out”. He was 28 years old and single.
His father Joseph as his sole beneficiary received all monies due to him, his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal along with some personal items consisting of disc, broken watch, photos and a pocket book, sent to him at 74, Stead Street, Jarrow.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Robert Anderson is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
