James Morton Anderson was born on 27 June 1886 at 9 Ella Road, Crouch End, London, the only son and 3rd of the seven children of James Anderson (1852-1940) and Sarah Reid Anderson née Morton (1851-1936). His birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1886 in the Islington registration district, Middlesex, now Greater London. On 25 July 1886 he was baptised at the Crouch Hill Presbyterian Church, Holly Park, Crouch Hill, London, where the baptismal register confirms his place of birth and that the family still resided there.
His six siblings were: Mary Elder Anderson (1882-1953); Annie Scott Anderson (b.1883); Sarah Morton Anderson (b.1888); Ruth Anderson (1890-1975); Grace Ella Anderson (1891-1964) and Edith Maud Anderson (1893-1977).
In 1910 he enlisted as a Driver in the Territorial Force's Honourable Artillery Company, service number 352.
In the 1911 census he is described as an 'assistant secretary to company' living in a 12 roomed property called 'Braidwood', Grange Road, Highgate, London, together with his parents, two of his siblings: Sarah Morton Anderson and Ruth Anderson, together with two female domestic servants. His father described himself as a 'director of companies'.
Following the outbreak of World War One he entered Egypt with his regiment as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force on 21 April 1915. He was subsequently commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and was serving in France in 'C' Battery, 70th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, when he was killed in action, aged 31 years, on 1 May 1917. His body was buried in Plot 4, Row E, Grave 25 in the Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France.
Probate records (incorrectly) claim that his address had been 'Braidswood' Grange Wood Road, Highgate, Middlesex. Probate was granted on 14 July 1917 to his father, who was described as a company's chairman and his effects totalled £6,798-9s-3d. His army effects totalling £55-14s-2d were sent to his father on 22 August 1917 who was also sent his son's war gratuity of £11-10s-0d on 19 December 1919.
On 10 October 1921 his father applied for his son's posthumously awarded 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal. These were sent to 'Braidwood' Highgate, N.6.
He is also commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website and on the Imperial War Museum's Lives of the First World War website.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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