Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Grave: | Hagle Dump Cemetery | I. D. 7. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.115 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 4C GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Early Life :
Born around January 1891, recorded 7th child and son of Alexander and Jane Anderson, of North Shields. 3 months old at the time of 1891 census. Father died young when Donald was 2.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 4th Battalion Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) |
| Action : The Battles of the Lys |
9 April - 29 April 1918. As the first phase of the great German campaign of 1918 lost momentum and failed in its objective to split the British and French armies, subsidiary attacks were shift the balance of the attack and to seek opportunities to exploit other sectors. On the Lys the Germans initially enjoyed spectacular success against a Portuguese Division but the gap was soon plugged and the advance halted.
Detail :
Previously 4141, Lance-Corporal, Royal West Kent Regiment. Gazetted 1st February 1917: "War Office. 1st February, 1917. TERRITORIAL FORCE. INFANTRY. The under mentioned Cadets to be 2nd Lieutenants. 25th Jan. 1917: Donald Fraser Anderson."
Lieutenant Donald Fraser ANDERSON, 4th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, killed in action, 27th April 1918, age 27.
Donald embarked to France on the 23rd March 1917. Just over a month later he was involved in the Hagle Dump Explosion: - On the 27th April 1918, The Battalion was working on the V3 line. A serious explosion occurred behind the Detail Camp at about 12.30pm caused by an enemy shell striking an ammunition and gun cotton dump. The camp was wrecked and numerous huts set on fire. Rescue parties at once set to work to assist in recovering the numerous casualties from the debris and extinguish fires. Casualties suffered by the Battalion included Lieutenant D.F. ANDERSON, & 17 other ranks. Wounded 28 other ranks. Missing 1 other ranks.
Probate record shows: ANDERSON Donald Fraser of 12 Alexandra Drive, Aintree Liverpool. 2nd Lieutenant 4th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment died 27th April 1918 in France or in Belgium. Granted in Liverpool 22nd October, will to Ada Fraser widow. Effects £471 9s 10d.
For his service he was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Lodge of Amity No. 171 E.C. | London |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
26th November 1915 | 25th February 1916 | 24th November 1916 |
Initiated into Lodge of Amity in 1915.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley