PTE G ANDERSON

Location: Kells Parish Churchyard, New Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway,

Details on cross:

 2 GRU tags 

25032 PTE G ANDERSON

7/8 K.O.S.B

Addenda – Mark Ratcliff – 6 November 2017

The dimensions of the cross are as follows

Shaft height (to insertion in the ground)         902mm
Cross Beam Width                                            409mm
Width of Wood                                                   69mm
Depth of wood                                                    21mm

Finish-bare wood
Condition-as expected given its age and exposed situation.  Some cracking in the wood, lichen growth.  Dowel pegs attaching cross beam seem to be tight though.

The cross appears to have deteriorated somewhat since the photos on the website were taken (no date?).  Certainly one of the cracks in the shaft appears to be slightly wider and there appears to be more lichen(?) growth on the wood.  However it was a lousy day-cold, dark and wet and I suspect under better conditions the cross may have looked quite different.

Cross dimensions (millimetres please) No dimensions obtained

Other information
Mounting to wall: In ground outside

Notes and observations:

This is an original WW1 battlefield cross that has been placed beside the family gravestone, which also commemorates Private Anderson.

Name: ANDERSON, GILBERT
Initials: G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: King’s Own Scottish Borderers
Unit Text: 7th/8th Bn.
Age: 32
Date of Death: 01/08/1918
Service No: 25032
Additional information: Son of George Anderson; husband of Maggie J. Anderson, of High St., New Galloway, Kirkcudbrightshire. Born at Glenlee, New Galloway.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. C. 11.
Cemetery: VAUXBUIN FRENCH NATIONAL CEMETERY

Gilbert was a gamekeeper at Milton Park, Dalry when he enlisted in June 1916 in the 1st KOSB. He was gassed near Arras in August 1917 and evacuated to hospital in Newcastle. When he returned to France he was posted to the 7th /8th Battalion.
Born 1886 in Glenlee, Kells. Son of George and Janet (Houston) Anderson.
Husband of Maggie Jane (Dickson) of High Street, New Galloway, Kells who he married in 1913 in Dalry, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Killed in Action on 1 August 1918.

During the Battle of the Soissonais and of the Ourcq, 23 July – 2 August 1918 the 15th (Scottish) Division (including the 7th/8th KOSB) was attached to the French XX Corps.

Survey and photographs courtesy of Paul Goodwin