ANDERSON, Patrick & James

Patrick and his younger brother, James, both left Australia on 20 October 1914 with the 4th Battalion on the troop transport ship A14 Euripides.  They were two of five sons of John A. Anderson and his wife Mary, of Newstead South Station, Inverell.

Both men applied for a commission in the AIF.  James enlisted in Sydney in September 1914 and was appointed 2nd Lieutenant.  He transferred to the 56th Battalion and in 1917 was Brigade Major of the 16th Battalion.  He served in Egypt and France. James had a distinguished career. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1915; mentioned in Despatches in 1916, and awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1919.  James was demobilized in England in July 1919.

Patrick enlisted in October 1914 and was also a 2nd Lieutenant with the 4th Battalion.  He was badly wounded at Gallipoli on 26 April 1915 and evacuated to 15th General Hospital at Alexandria where he died on 30th April 1915.  Patrick was buried at Chatby Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Alexandria.  In November 1915, the London Gazette listed Patrick as Mentioned in Despatches for conspicuous service. The Inverell Honor Roll and Cenotaph list Patrick's name.

Both brothers are named on the Elsmore Honour Roll.

Photos: Patrick and James Anderson - private collection