Anderson, Alfred
1896 - Born on June 25th. Alfred Anderson, 108, is the only Scot to have fought in the Great War who is still living in his native country. A British soldier of World War I.
1914 - Alfred Anderson was 18 at the time. His unit, the 5th Battalion The Black Watch, was one of the first involved in trench warfare.
- Anderson still treasures the gift package sent to every soldier a few days before the first Christmas of the war from the Princess Royal. The brass box, which is embossed with a profile of Princess Mary, was filled with cigarettes.
- The last surviving soldier to have been present during impromptu Christmas truce between British and German troops.
1915 - Prince Charles paid him a private visit after learning that he had served briefly as batman to the Queen Mother's brother, Captain Fergus Bowes-Lyon, who, along with hundreds of Mr Anderson's regimental colleagues, was killed at the Battle of Loos.
1998 - Was awarded France's highest honour - the Légion d'Honneur - for his services during the First World War, was recently in the rare position of witnessing one of his six children's golden wedding anniversaries.
2005 - Died on November 21st.
1914 - Alfred Anderson was 18 at the time. His unit, the 5th Battalion The Black Watch, was one of the first involved in trench warfare.
- Anderson still treasures the gift package sent to every soldier a few days before the first Christmas of the war from the Princess Royal. The brass box, which is embossed with a profile of Princess Mary, was filled with cigarettes.
- The last surviving soldier to have been present during impromptu Christmas truce between British and German troops.
1915 - Prince Charles paid him a private visit after learning that he had served briefly as batman to the Queen Mother's brother, Captain Fergus Bowes-Lyon, who, along with hundreds of Mr Anderson's regimental colleagues, was killed at the Battle of Loos.
1998 - Was awarded France's highest honour - the Légion d'Honneur - for his services during the First World War, was recently in the rare position of witnessing one of his six children's golden wedding anniversaries.
2005 - Died on November 21st.
Page last updated: 10:59pm, 04th Jun '07