In Sunderland (Ryhope Road) Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of:
D. Anderson
Engineman. RNR. 4622/ES
H.M. Trawler “Harlech Castle”
23rd September 1916 age 45
He was the son of William and Margaret Anderson and the husband of Mary Jane Anderson, of 35, Mordey Street, Sunderland.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following;
David Anderson was one of 4 known children of whom only 3 survived, born to mariner William Anderson and his wife Margaret. They were both born in 1847, William was a native of Sunderland, his wife hailed from the village of Alwalton, Northamptonshire, they were married in County Durham in 1865.
Alexander Anderson was born in 1866, Sarah in 1868 who died in June 1871 aged 3 years old only 4 months after the birth of David, February 21st 1871. John Anderson was born in 1874.
David was only 10 years old when his mother was widowed in 1880 while the family was living in a tenement building at 3, Stafford Street, Sunderland. David’s brother Alexander (15), who was the eldest still living at home, supported his mother and siblings working as a general labourer.
In 1893 aged 21 years old David married in the district of Sunderland, Mary Jane Purvis who was born January 2nd 1873. Mary Jane gave birth to 11 children of whom only 4 had survived by 1911, William born December 1st 1902, David Jnr, January 10th 1906, Mary Jane, January 29th 1908 and Alexander, November 2nd 1909.
In 1911 Mary Jane and the children were living at 7, Winchester Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, while her husband, who had joined the Royal Naval Reserve, November 17th 1893, was serving aboard 92284 John Sanderson which had departed from South Shields, December 31st 1910 bound for Venice. David Anderson completed 20 years of service, February 13th 1914 and was awarded the Royal Naval Volunteer Service and Good Conduct Medal at Sunderland, July 23rd 1914.
Described as 5 feet 2 and a half inches tall, brown hair, dark complexion with a mole on his cheek, Engineman 4622 David Anderson served during WW1 with the Royal Naval Reserve and April 17th 1915 became a father for the fifth time when his wife safely delivered a son, whom they named John.
Engineman 4622 David Anderson served aboard H. M. Trawler Harlech Castle which was completed in 1916 but this was short lived as he was transferred to shore base Vivid III used for the Royal Naval Trawler Section. He died September 23rd 1916 at the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth, cause of death, malignant disease of the spleen.
At the request of his family and paid for by them, the body of David Anderson was returned to his home for burial. He is at rest within Sunderland (Ryhope Road) Cemetery, County Durham grave 11. A. 7281. U. He was 45 years of age, awards; British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Mary Ann received as of March 29th 1917 a weekly pension for herself and their children of 28 shilling increased April 5th 1917 to 33 shillings 9 pence, sent to her at 35, Morday Street, Hendon, Sunderland, but destined to decrease as each of the children turned 16 years of age.
Mary Jane Anderson nee Purvis died in the district of Sunderland in 1946.
Only details of their son Alexander Anderson have been found. He married Rhoda Coulson in 1935 who was born January 3rd 1914 in the district of Sunderland and with whom he had 2 sons David, May 2nd 1936 and John Jnr, July 26th 1938.
In 1939 Alexander supported his family working as a boilershop caulker. They were living at 24, Burlington Road, Sunderland.
Alexander Anderson died in 1975, his widow Rhoda Anderson nee Coulson in 1979, John Anderson in 1988 and David Anderson in 1991, all registered in the district of Sunderland, as of 1974, Tyne and Wear.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Acknowledgements: Peter Holt
David Anderson is remembered at Hendon on H123.02, at Sunderland in S140.048 Part 08 page 154 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.
