Private James Anderson
James Anderson was born around 1895 in Bolton, Lancashire, the fourth of seven children of insurance agent (later life insurance company superintendent) James Anderson and his wife Catherine (née Hartley). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Hamers House, 107 Blackburn Road, Egerton, Lancashire, with his parents and siblings, and working as an insurance office clerk.
Anderson enlisted in the Dragoons of the Line on 13 December 1915 (No.21297). Posted to the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, he embarked for France in 1916 or the first half of 1917, probably at the end of June 1916, having been posted to the headquarters establishment of the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment following the formation of that regiment in France from C and F Squadrons and the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron. The headquarters, formed in England and comprising 40 officers and men, joined the new regiment in France at the beginning of July.
The 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment served as corps cavalry to X Corps until August-September 1917, when it was disbanded and its men were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Anderson, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt five days later. Anderson was issued regimental number 41506.
He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917, and perhaps also during the retreat from St Quentin from 21 to 28 March 1918.
Anderson was wounded in the left forearm between August and October 1918 during the Advance to Victory offensive. Evacuated to the UK for treatment, on 9 May 1919 he was discharged, being 'no longer physically fit for war service' (paragraph 392 (xvi), King's Regulations). He was granted a pension due to his wound, the level of disability assessed at 30 per cent in March 1920.