ANDERSON, Andrew

Andrew and his twin brother, Ernest, were farmers at Oakwood near Inverell when they enlisted in December 1915. They were thirty nine year old single men when they became members of the First Contingent of Inverell's Kurrajongs. Their younger brother, Arnold, had already enlisted and was serving with the 12th Light Horse Regiment, 2nd Reinforcements.

The twins went to the War together as Privates with the 33rd Battalion, departing Australia on HMAT A74 Marathon in May 1916. They served in France where Andrew became ill and was transferred to hospital in England to recover. Following return to his unit in France, he was wounded by a piece of shell at Zonnebeke. As Andrew was being moved by stretcher bearers he was hit a second time resulting in his death on 12 October 1917.

Private Andrew Anderson has no known grave and his name is among the thousands recorded at the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. His name is also on the Oakwood Honor Roll, the Inverell Honor Roll and Cenotaph.  A memorial Kurrajong tree was planted for him in the park on the Glen Innes road at Inverell.

Photo: Private collection