Gerard Anderson

Life

Gerard Anderson was born in Twickenham, a village and a parish in Brentford district, Middlesex county in Greater London, England. His parents were David Anderson (b. 1844), an Anglican prebendary, and Blanch Alice May Anderson (b. 1857). He also had a sister, Mona Constance Anabel (b. 1884), and a brother, Arthur Emilius David (b. 1887). He attended Eton and Oxford University. He was the AAA champion at the 120-yards hurdles in 1909-1910 and 1912. On 16 July 1910 at the Crystal Palace, Anderson set the first IAAF world record in the 440-yards hurdles with a time of 56.8 seconds. Anderson took part in the Stockholm Olympics in 1912 and was favored to win a medal, but had an accident during the Men's 110 metres and was disqualified. Anderson's brother Arthur Anderson was also a noted track star and competed in the 100 metres competition as well as of the 200 metres event. After graduating university, Anderson became a manager at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead.

During the First World War, Anderson joined the British Army and gained a commission as a Second Lieutenant. On 16 October 1914, he joined 3rd Bn. attd. 1st Bn. Cheshire Regiment and he saw action with this unit in France and Belgium On 7 November, Anderson was mortally wounded at Hooge, near Ypres. Also killed were Captain George Bertram Pollock-Hodsoll, a footballer who had played for Casuals and Corinthians (who had, on occasion, captained the Army team), and four enlisted men. Anderson's unit successfully repelled a German attack and captured twenty-five enemy troops. There are differing accounts of Anderson's death from his wounds. Battalion records state he was killed on 7 November, the day he was wounded. A sports biography places his death on 9 November and records from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission place his death on 11 November.