10th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
12/08/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age:
28
Summary
William James Anderson was born into a farming family in Ballinahone, Knockloughrim about 1890. He was a member of Ballinacross Purple Guards L.O.L. 1713. He married Sarah Jane Charters on 2nd August 1908. They lived at Clooney, Tobermore where William worked as a labourer. He and Sarah had six children. Private William James Anderson was serving with D Company of the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action at Passchendaele on 12 August 1917, almost a year after the birth of his youngest daughter Eileen. He was 28 years old.
Further Information
William James Anderson was born into a farming family in Ballinahone, Knockloughrim about 1890.
He was a parishioner of Termoneeny Parish Church, Knockloughrim and a member of Ballinacross Purple Guards L.O.L. 1713.
William James Anderson married Sarah Jane Charters on 2nd August 1908.
The 1901 census lists William as age 24 living with his family at house 12 in Clooney, Tobermore, County Londonderry. William was a labourer.
Family: William Anderson (born about 1890), Sarah Jane Anderson (born about 1891), William James Anderson 1 (born 21st July 1909), Robert Anderson (born about 1911), John Anderson (born 8th April 1912), Agnes Anderson ? (born 19th September 1913), Herbert Anderson (born 16th January 1915), Eileen Anderson (born about August 1916).
William signed the Ulster Covenant in the Temperance Hall in Knockloughrim in September 1912.
William James Anderson enlisted on 29 August 1914 at Finner Camp in Donegal.
Private William James Anderson was serving with D Company of the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action at Passchendaele on 12 August 1917, almost a year after the birth of his youngest daughter Eileen. He was 28 years old.
Private W J Anderson has no known grave and is commemorated on panel 22 on the Menin Gate in Ypres in Belgium.
Last Will and Testament of Private William James Anderson
WILL: In the event of my death I give the whole of my property and effects to my wife Mrs William Anderson, Cabragh, Knockloughrim, Co Derry Ireland. Witness:- T G Wilson. 15292 William Anderson (his mark). Private 10th Inniskilling Fusiliers. 7th June 1917.
Private William Anderson is also commemorated on the memorial plaque in Ballinacross Orange Hall.
The CWGC list Private Anderson as the husband of Sarah Jane Anderson of Ballinacross, Knockloughrim.
Most of the information and photos here was derived from the book 'They Didn’t Come Home’ recording the Castledawson War Dead. Page 12 is devoted to Private William James Anderson.
