George Anderson, DCM, MM, MSM

Forename(s):
George

Surname:
Anderson, DCM, MM, MSM

Initial(s):
G

Service Number:
5260

Rank:
Company Sergeant Major

Regiment:
Foot Guards, Coldstream Guards, 3rd Battalion

Died:
23/11/1918

Aged:
33

Buried:
Cassington (St. Peter's) Churchyard, Oxfordshire

Service History:
The Meritorious Service Medal is listed in 'The Immediate Awards 1916-1928', by Ian McInnes (Dallington, East Sussex; Naval & Military Press, in conjunction with the Liverpool Medal Co. Ltd. of Bury, Lancashire; 1992; Page 84) as being in Volume II, 1918. Against Anderson's listing, in brackets is 'Dr. Sjt.' - perhaps, Drill Serjeant (old spelling) - together with the 'London Gazette' reference 7134. Also, he had already received his Military Medal award.

Discharged from service on 30 July 1918, presumably on the grounds of no longer being fit for active service. The family story is that he died from the effects of gas poisoning. (Source: Ian Hedley; Great nephew; November 2018)

Died 23 November 1918, at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford. (Source: Michael Grant [via Bailiffgate Museum]; November 2018)

N.B. CWGC records mention only the MM & MSM but the DCM is inscribed on the memorial stone at Cassington Churchyard. Anderson is not listed in 'Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal 1914-1920', by R. W. Walker (Uckfield, East Sussex; Naval & Military Press; 2010; Pages 54-55), which may suggest the DCM award pre-dated WW1.

In 'For Bravery in the Field, Great War recipients of the Military Medal 1914-1920, A Register' by Peter Warrington (Uckfield, East Sussex; Naval & Military Press; 2014; Page 9), again only the MM & MSM are recorded.

Background:
Born about 1886, at Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, the eldest son of the late John Anderson (b. about 1853; perhaps, at Paxton, near Berwick; in 1901, a Mason's Labourer, in 1911, a Colliery Labourer) by his wife, Ellen (b. about 1858, at Berwick).

The family lived at 17, Milvain Street, Gateshead, County Durham at the time of the 1901 Census, but from the birthplaces of their children John & Ellen had moved around from Berwick to Longhoughton & Embleton, both places with quarries. By 1911 they were at Amble, living in a two-roomed home at 3, Church Street. Anderson was already serving in the forces.

There is a marriage recorded in the Woodstock, Oxfordshire district in late 1915 of George Anderson marrying Annie Jones. Annie died at Cassington, Oxfordshire in 1957.

They had a daughter, Georgina (b. 1916; d. 1998, at Crewe, Cheshire), who went on to marry one Arthur Jordon, FRCP, in 1939. They had 2 children. Arthur died at Sheffield in 1975.
(Source: Michael Grant [via Bailiffgate Museum]; & Ian Hedley [great nephew]; November 2018)

Local Memorial:
Alnwick War Memorial