3606646 Private Gilbert Anderson
Born: 14 Jul 1923
Died: 25 Sep 1944
Age at death: 21 years, 2 months, and 11 days
Company: A
Platoon: 2
Section: -
Parachute Course: 80/93
Life Story:
3606646 Private Gilbert Anderson was born on 14 July 1923 in Mossley and was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Anderson of Blackpool, Lancashire.
Gilbert enlisted into the Army on 22 July 1941 in Preston and was posted at the 70th Battalion Border Regiment on 2 august 1941.
In September 1942 he transferred to the East Lancashire Regiment and in May 1943 he joined the Parachute Regiment.
He was on Parachute Course 80 at Ringway, near Manchester, but broke his leg and was unable to complete the course. Gilbert later successfully was on Parachute Course 93 and received his parachute qualification wings.
He first joined D Company 10th Parachute Battalion in January 1944, but in the following spring or summer he was transferred to No. 2 Platoon, A Company, 11th Parachute Battalion.
Gilbert flew to Arnhem from Saltby Airfield and landed on Ginkel Heath on 18 September 1944, together with the rest of 11th Battalion (and of 4rd Parachute Brigade). It was decided to send 11th Battalion to Arnhem as fast as possible to assist 1st and 3rd Battalions to get through to the bridge at Arnhem which was held by 2nd Battalion.
At 23:30hrs the Battalion made contact with the rear element of the South Staffords in the western outskirts of Arnhem.
On 19 September the South Staffords and the 11th Battalion advanced in the area of the St Elisabeths Hospital. It is most likely Gilbert was killed at the age of 21 during the fighting near the St Elisabeth Hospital.
Reverend Daniel McGowan, who was attached to 4 Parachute Brigade and who worked at the St Elisabeths Hospital, made a list with names of men who were killed or missing. One of the names on the list is Gilbert Anderson.
Gilbert was buried by members of the Dutch Red Cross on 2 October 1944 and was given a field burial beside Onderlangs at Arnhem, opposite the St. Elizabeths Hospital.
Shortly after the war, Gilbert’s body was transferred from his field grave at Onderlangs, to Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery. In the Arnhem area this gruesome task befell upon No. 80 (British) Graves Concentration Unit. Sadly, during the transfer Gilbert’s identity was somehow lost. Gilbert is most probably buried in the Airborne Cemetery in Oosterbeek as an unknown soldier.
Today Gilbert Anderson is considered missing-in-action and he is commemorated on the CWGC’s Groesbeek Memorial, panel 8.