The AIF Project

Elvard John ANDERSON

Regimental number752
Place of birthKolding, Denmark
Other NamesAnderson, Elvard John
ReligionProtestant
OccupationLabourer
Address50 Prospect Road, Summer Hill, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation36
Height5' 9"
Weight164 lbs
Next of kinAndrew Martin Anderson, Kolding, Denmark
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date29 August 1914
Place of enlistmentSydney, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name4th Battalion, D Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/21/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board Transport A14 Euripides on 20 October 1914
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll4th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 5 May 1915
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsThe Lone Pine Memorial (Panel No 21), Gallipoli, Turkey

The Lone Pine Memorial, situated in the Lone Pine Cemetery at Anzac, is the main Australian Memorial on Gallipoli, and one of four memorials to men of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Designed by Sir John Burnet, the principal architect of the Gallipoli cemeteries, it is a thick tapering pylon 14.3 metres high on a square base 12.98 metres wide. It is constructed from limestone mined at Ilgardere in Turkey.

The Memorial commemorates the 3268 Australians and 456 New Zealanders who have no known grave and the 960 Australians and 252 New Zealanders who were buried at sea after evacuation through wounds or disease. The names of New Zealanders commemorated are inscribed on stone panels mounted on the south and north sides of the pylon, while those of the Australians are listed on a long wall of panels in front of the pylon and to either side. Names are arranged by unit and rank.

The Memorial stands over the centre of the Turkish trenches and tunnels which were the scene of heavy fighting during the August offensive. Most cemeteries on Gallipoli contain relatively few marked graves, and the majority of Australians killed on Gallipoli are commemorated here.

Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli

Killed in action, 5 May 1915.

buried in Shrapnel Valley; grave subsequently lost.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Father wrote to Base Records, 26 September 1915: 'I would respectfully request you to send all my son's belongings, especially would I ask you to send me his watch and all he had on him when he was killed, this you will understand would be our dearest memories of our eldest son. Also will you please send me all the moneys owing to him for the period he was in the Australian Army.'

Two parcels, containing a silver locket, crucifix, cards, a purse, wallet, pouch, pipe and letters, were forwarded to the father on 22 November 1915.

Father wrote again to Base Records, in 1920: 'I sincerely ask you to send my son's property to me, so that we may have something in memory of him. We would very much like his clothes and watch. As he was in Sydney 17½ years his effects should not be hard to trace. He enlisted from Sydney ... '

Victoria Barracks, Sydney, reported to Base Records, 10 November 1920: 'I beg to report that I interviewed Mr Hans Marine Sorensen at No. 10 Stanton Road, Haberfield. He states that when the deceased soldier arrived in Australia from America, about 18 years ago, he had no clothing other than that which he stood in and his boots were off his feet. Mr. Sorensen provided him with an outfit, also work for about 18 months. He then resided with Mr. Sorensen's mother. From that time he never resided with Mrs. Sorensen, Senior, or Mr. Sorensen, but used to call for his letters every two or three years. At no time had he a watch and chain or other property other than that which he wore, and a swag. On his enlistment in the A.I.F. he wrote to Mr. Sorensen informing him that he had enlisted. Mr. Sorensen visited him at Kensington Camp. He then asked him if he had anything to leave that he wished to be taken care of. The deceased informed him that he had no private property whatever, and that he burnt his private clothing two days prior to his visit.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsFirst given name entered incorrectly on Embarkation Roll as Edward; age incorrectly entered as 26.
SourcesNAA: B2455, ANDERSON Elvard John

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