18101 L/Cpl Walter Anderson, 15th Bn, Royal Scots

Edinburgh-born 18101 Lance-Corporal Walter Zerub Baillie Anderson of the 15th Battalion, Royal Scots, died of wounds at Number 8 Casualty Clearing Station, Bailleul on the 3rd April 1916. He was 28 years old, the son of the late Andrew Hislop Anderson, of 14 George Street, Edinburgh.

Walter came from a large family. Surviving papers in the WO 363 series at the National Archives indicate that in October 1919 he was survived by three brothers and seven sisters. Their ages in 1919 ranged from 44 to 27.

Walter enlisted at Edinburgh on the 3rd November 1914. He was a clothier by trade and was living with his father at George Street. He was five feet, six and a half inches tall, had a pale complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.

William Anderson and Sons Ltd was an established firm of "clothiers and military tailors" and still survives today as Kinloch Anderson. Information on a company brochure states, "Formerly William Anderson and Sons Ltd, and an independent company for over five generations, Kinloch Anderson has been known and respected for over a century in Scotland's Capital City, as makers and retailers of fine clothing and Highland Dress. Originally as civilian and military tailors, Kinloch Anderson developed a particular expertise in Tartans and Kiltmaking and tailored officers' uniforms for all the famous Scottish regiments."

Walter remained in Britain until the 7th January 1916, sailing for France the following day.

On the 10th April 1916, William Hislop Anderson, Walter's oldest brother, wrote to the Paymaster of the 15th Battalion, Royal Scots at The Hamilton Barracks in Hamilton. The letter was written on headed paper from the company's Glasgow office at 106 Hope Street. William wrote:

Dear Sir

A gentleman called on me today and informed me that my brother, lance-corporal W B Anderson, 18101 15th Royal Scots, had been struck by a bullet in the head and seriously wounded last Sunday night. As I have had no intimation of this from any other source I will be greatly obliged if you will let me know at the earliest moment possible if you have any information on the matter.

Thanking you in anticipation...

There is no reply amongst Walter's surviving papers but of course, at the time William was anxiously enquiring about his brother, Walter had already been dead for a week.

In December 1916, nine months after his death, Walter's personal effects were returned to William in Edinburgh. These are listed as: disc, letters, razor, brush, watch, photo, knife, pouch, notebook, purse, testament, mirror, pipe, torch-light, keys, writing case.

Walter Zerub Baillie Anderson is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord) in France.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (MIC, WO 363)
Soldiers Died in The Great War
Army Service Numbers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission