Lives of the First World War

Aberdeen University photograph of James Anderson

This shows the column with James Anderson's name on the Menin Gate Memorial, for those with no known grave. It reads Anderson J. 1229

This envelope is addressed to James Anderson's brother-in-law, George Bruce at Mizpah Place, Portknockie. This is also where James Anderson was born. The Andersons had built that house which is still there today.

This is from the plaque in the school hall

This is a summary of the book which is about the story of the Aberdeen University Company of the 4th Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders in the Great War of 1914 - 1918. The Company was known as 'U' Company and James Anderson was one of the students who volunteered and became part of this 'U' Company.

This letter from James Anderson to the children in Portknockie school was printed in the Banffshire Advertiser. Dated April 15th 1915

The image is self explanatory. The card was found among papers in James Anderson’s family home when the family moved out in 2003.

In uniform c.1915. Pte. James Anderson (1229) served with the 4th Gordon Highlanders.

This outlines where the 4th Gordons were fighting during 1915 and is as narrated by Alex Rules in his book 'Students Under Arms' (Aberdeen University Press). This was typed up by Robert Anderson Bruce, James Anderson's nephew, on 31.10.1981

From John Anderson, 1868 - 1943 and wife, Margaret Wood 1867 - 1949 to their children Helen Garden Anderson, James Anderson, William George Anderson and Jane Wood Anderson (who emigrated to Canada) and their grandchildren - Robert Anderson Bruce, John Bruce (died in infancy), James George Bruce; And James Anderson and Ian George Anderson; and Ian McIntosh Munro and Eric McIntosh Munro (both born in Canada)

James Anderson's name is on Panel 38, Column 5. This triumphant arch memorial remembers those who were killed during the WW1 but who have no known grave. It was unveiled in 1927.

This is a summary of the excellent book on 'the story of the Aberdeen University Company of the 4th Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders in the Great War of 1914-18. The Company was known as 'U' Company and was formed in 1898 as part of the Gordon Highlanders.....The training at Bedford, the grim trench warfare in the Ypres Salient in 1915, and the final curtain for the Company at Hooge on 25 September 1915, are all recounted. This Company was the only university infantry unit to serve with the British Expeditionary Force'.

James Anderson's brother-in-law, George Bruce, left a bequest to Portknockie School in memory both of James Anderson and also of Fl Lt. James Bruce, who would have been James Anderson's nephew, and who was killed in action in WW2. The bequest was to buy books for the school library. Both the Bruce family and the Anderson family were from Portknockie and were former pupils at the local school.

This letter from James Anderson, written from The Front, responding to 2 girls who had written to him from Portknockie School was reprinted in the local Banffshire Newspaper on April 15, 1915. It was headed 'Shelling of an Aeroplane' which he describes. In the letter he also writes 'the countryside has nothing of the scenic beauties of Scotland'. He ends: 'Well, dear girlies, I must bid you good-bye. Good luck to you all, - Yours faithfully, Jas. Anderson. The school had also sent a parcel for James. He was very grateful and wrote 'Such actions seem to inspire us and make us buckle to our work'.

This is the 1st page of a letter written to my mother, Mrs Margaret Bruce, in 1995 from Dr John McConachie, the author of The Student Soldiers which was about to be published. In it the author thanks Mrs Bruce 'for making available James Anderson's letter and also the fruits of your own research in to the Company'. The 2nd page goes on to say that 'This book could provide a benchmark for a more scholarly book on the Company in the future. For the present it tells a little-known story about a body of remarkable young men'. Modestly also, John McConnachie writes: 'I think I will be criticised for the absence of footnotes but I am not a scholar, an academic or a historian - rather a somewhat pedestrian story-teller'. The book certainly belies this.

This presentation of a plaque, at the Gordon Highlanders' Museum in Aberdeen, was in memory of those student soldiers from the University 'U' Company who lost their lives in the First World War. and presented by Lt. Col. A D Preston commanding officer of the Aberdeen University Officers Training Corps. As noted in this newspaper article: 'Membership of the U company, which was formed in 1898, was restricted to students and graduates of the University. It was recognised as one of the best drilled, best shooting and most efficient companies of the Aberdeen infantry volunteer units. U Company served with the 4th Battalion the Gordon Highlanders in the First World War, where many students gave the ultimate sacrifice'. Our Uncle James was killed but his body was never found and his name is on The Menin Gate, Ypres.

Article from the P & J, Aberdeen, on the book launch of: "The Student Soldiers by retired Lossiemouth GP John McConachie, himself a graduate of Aberdeen who served with the Royal Army Medical Corps in India during World War 11. The publication has been timed to coincide with the university's quincentenary celebrations..... Dr McConachie (73) has spent more than two years researching the company's background, and has been given access to diaries and letters which are still held by descendants of the North-east graduates. These diaries paint a vivid picture of the life of infantrymen in the early days of the war - and they also recall the Battle of Hooge, in Belgium, at which most of the company was wiped out. One of the most remarkable facts to emerge from the book is that none of the 50-plus graduates - all highly educated and many of them with honours degrees - were ever recognised as officer material".

This outlines the bequest to Portknockie Primary School from Mr George Bruce previously of Portknockie but then living in nearby Buckie. Later the bequest was used to buy books for the school (see below)

This outlines the timings in James Anderson's life from 1894, born in Portknockie, to going to Fordyce Academy then Aberdeen University before volunteering to join the University's 'U' Company and the subsequent training in Bedford before arriving in France in Feb, 1914. Then it lists where 'U' company were involved in the war until the fatal battle of Hooge in September 1915. Typed up, after research, by his nephew, Robert Anderson Bruce

The names of all those students and graduates of Aberdeen University who were killed during WW1 and WW2 are to be found in King's College Chapel. Soft lighting illuminates the boards - thanks in no small part to this recommendation from my mother, Mrs Robert Anderson Bruce (Margaret) - the wife of James Anderson's nephew.

This was the school James Anderson went to. It had an outstanding reputation. Fordyce is 7 miles from Portknockie and James's train journey to school is described in The History of Fordyce Academy (see further notes on this site)

This house, 2 Seafield Terrace, Portknockie was built by John Anderson, James's father, and it was in the Anderson family in to the 21st century. William George ('Willie George') and his wife, Ann Mary, subsequently lived there with his youngest son, Ian, wife Mary and children Anne and Ruaridh.

This shows James Anderson's parents, John (d. 1943) and Margaret (d. 1949) with son Ian (middle) and grandson, James Bruce (right)

This photo shows that Mizpah was built in 1902 around the time when many of the houses were built in Portknockie

Helen Garden Bruce, nee Anderson, James Anderson's older sister, outside Mizpah with her son, Robert Anderson Bruce c. 1934/5

This photo, taken in 1989 and commemorating Portknockie's Best Kept Private House Garden, is of Ian Anderson, James Anderson's nephew (born 1921 so after James died in 1915), and his wife Mary with Nigel Bruce (son of Robert Bruce, Ian's older cousin and also a nephew of James but born in 1911 so was 4 when James died in the war)

This photos shows Ian, Ruaridh, Anne and Mary Anderson outside Mizpah in April 1981 with myself, Alison on the left. Ian was my uncle and James Anderson was my great uncle.

This shows Nigel Bruce with his grandfather, George Bruce, outside Mizpah circa 1960. James Anderson wrote to his brother-in-law George from the front. James's letters were kept in an old tobacco tin in a sealed drawer by George and his wife, Helen, James's sister.

This shows one of the letters home from James Anderson. This one from the training centre in Bedford to his father, John Anderson at Mizpah, Portknockie

Sitting outside Mizpah, James Anderson's mother, Margaret Anderson nee Wood (d. 1949) . The figure standing behind her was a neighbour/family friend. Annie Mary is the third figure (married to Willie George, James's brother)

Probably taken outside Mizpah, Portknockie, this shows 4 generations of the Anderson family: seated is Jeannie (Jane Wood) d. 1934; on her left her daughter, Margaret Anderson d. 1949 & on the right Margaret's eldest daughter, Helen Bruce (nee Anderson) (d. 1963) and the young man is Helen's eldest son, Robert Anderson Bruce, then aged about 21.

Only 3 people have been identified in this photograph - James Anderson, with his pipe, back row 2nd from left, David Bruce, his mother's brother-in-law and a Fred Ross, seated at the front. This was taken in Stronsay, Orkney - 'which it is difficult to imagine Whitehall (the main village) as it would have looked each July and August during the height of the herring boom from the 1880s to the First World War. For some six weeks the population of Stronsay, normally around 1,200 at the time, would rise to over 5,000 as fishing fleets, fish gutters and others descended on what at the time was by far Orkney's most important fishing port'. It is likely then that their visit from Banffshire was linked to the herring as both the Bruce and Anderson families were involved in the fishing industry.

James ('Jimmie') Anderson would recognise this picture postcard of Portknockie Harbour which is little changed today except the large fishing boats have gone, there is an extra pier and also a children's paddling pool

All Portknockie families know this famous Bow Fiddle Rock and James Anderson would recognise it immediately. This is an old photograph (c. 1930) but the rock looks the same almost 90 years later.

Photograph of the marriage, in Aberdeen, between George Bruce (24) to Helen Garden Anderson (20) both of Portknockie with James ('Jimmy') Anderson (18), Helen's eldest brother and likely the Best Man and with Janet Bruce (9), George's only sister (who sadly died in 1919). The woman standing at the back is unknown to us.

This letter was sent from A Gilbert, 110 Honey Hill Road, Bedford, November 1915 - this was where James was billeted during his training with the Gordon Highlanders. Here is the main part of the letter: Dear Mrs Bruce It is with the deepest regret I received the sad (news) of Mr Anderson. We saw by the papers that he & his friend, Mr Wilson, that were here together were both missing & were in hopes there was a chance of him as a prisoner, we followed the papers & saw Mr Wilson's name but could see no more of Mr Anderson, then feared the worse. I had a P.C. from Mr Wilson on the 21st asking if I had any news of Jimmy, he says I was not with him during the attack so cannot tell what befell him if you have any information kindly let me know. I am writing him today, he is a prisoner of war, they seemed to be together until then. I am sure it must be a bitter blow to your parents & all of you. He was such a nice person. We all felt the two belonged to us ........ A Gilbert

James was billeted in Bedford at 110 Honey Hill Road. The owner wrote a letter of sympathy to Helen Bruce, James's sister, when he was reported missing. They knew him as Jimmy and described him in the letter as 'such a nice person'.

James Anderson's signature - while he was commonly known as Jimmy

This book covers 'the War Adventures of the Aberdeen University Company of the Gordon Highlanders' - 'U' company for which James (Jimmy) Anderson volunteered.

This photo taken just prior to the Gordon Highlanders leaving for Bedford. The Gordon Highlanders were, for 200 years from 1794, North-East Scotland's own regiment.

Alex Rule was a member of 'U' Company, 1/4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders. 'U' Company originally comprised mainly Students and Staff of Aberdeen University. The 1/4th Gordon Highlanders entrain at Aberdeen for the rail journey to Bedford. Alex Rule writes: "The quiet old county town was shaken to its foundations. We doubled the population; sheer weight of numbers alone made us a disturbing factor in its Civic life. Then, in addition to our 12,000 infantry, we had no fewer than 12 Pipe Bands … Our invasion was a peaceful penetration – from the military point of view – but we shattered the calm of 700 years."

The headdress badge adopted was taken from the 92nd, raised by the Gordon family in 1794. It comprised the family crest, being a stag's head and neck emerging from a Ducal coronet, a scroll below bearing the motto BYDAND, not a Gaelic but a Lowland Scots dialect word meaning “steadfast”.

It is thought that doctor John McCrae (30 November 1872 - 28 January 1918) began the draft for his famous poem “In Flanders Fields” on the evening of the 2 May, 1915 in the second week of fighting during the Second Battle of Ypres.

This war memorial lies at the heart of Portknockie and close to 'Mizpah Place' where James Anderson was born and grew up

In the heart of Portknockie the war memorial commemorates those who lost their lives in the two world wars, including James Anderson who died in 1915.

Anderson Gravestone shown with James Anderson's name 1892-1915. Next to this grave is the Bruce stone (as shown). James's sister, Helen, married George Bruce, also from Portknockie.

The first part of the page has James George Bruce's name and this section completes the gravestone noting his death in WW2, killed in action. James would have been James Anderson's nephew but he was born in 1918, 3 years after his Uncle James Anderson died at Hooge, 1915

This lists booklet all the gravestones in Hillhead Cemetery, Portknockie - including the Anderson and Bruce families

James Anderson on the family gravestone 1892 - 1915. Hillhead Cemetery, Portknockie Name also on the Menin Gate, Ypres for those with no known grave

George Bruce, 2nd row, far left, also at Portknockie School and aged about 10 here. He went on to marry Helen Garden Anderson, shown in the other school photo of the same date. They married in 1910 (photo on this site also)

Portknockie Primary was first built in 1876 and is of traditional stone built design. It was originally a junior secondary, which it would have been in James Anderson's time, but has been a primary school since 1976. It is situated at the extreme eastern side of the village, at the side of the main through road, the A942. Apart from its educational role, the school enjoys a close relationship with the local community as a focus for village life along with the McBoyle Hall.

Helen Garden Anderson, 2nd row, 4th from right. Helen was James Anderson's older sister. Helen was born in 1889, so would have been 6 here, and James in 1892 so too young yet for school.

This sign for Portknockie also has the school in the background. James Anderson was a pupil there and his sister, Helen Garden Anderson, went on to teach there. Mizpah is a minute's walk from the school

This house, formerly 47 Portknockie, and now 22 New Street, was the home of the Anderson family, possibly in the 1880s, prior to moving to 296 Portknockie, now 29 High Street, where they were for the 1901 census

This house at 3, Cliff Terrace, Portknockie, (formerly 237 Portknockie), was the home of James Anderson's granny, Jane Wood 'King' (d. 1934, aged 88) and his mother, Maggie Wood 'King' and her sisters. From the 1881 census.

Information found: 'The World War One Memorial Plaque was made from Bronze and hence it was popularly known as the “Dead Man's Penny” among front-line troops, also becoming widely known as, the “Death Penny”, “Death Plaque” or “Widow's Penny”. Beneath this the name was cast into the plaque. James Anderson's name can be clearly seen here. They were given up to 7 years after the war ended. It was decided that the design of the plaque, was to be chosen from submissions made in a public competition. Over 800 designs were submitted and the competition was won by the sculptor and medallist Edward Carter Preston using the pseudonym Pyramus, receiving two first place prizes of £250 for his winning and also an alternative design. Carter Preston's winning design includes an image of Britannia holding a trident and standing with a lion. In her outstretched left hand Britannia holds an olive wreath. No rank was to be given.

The Seafield Hall was officially opened in 191I by the Rev. Dr Bruce, of Banff. He noted that the hall had been funded by the efforts of the fisher folk of Portknockie and said that "he liked fishermen because they were naturally a religious people and had a side of fervent piety not too common among the somewhat cold and rationalistic types of piety found in Scotland". Dr Bruce was a well-travelled man and he told the audience that when many years ago, he was sailing in a boat across the Sea of Galilee, he looked on some faces from Tiberias that greatly reminded him of the Mairs and Slaters and Addisons and Bruces that he met along the Moray Firth". (Some local fishermen were perhaps blown further off course at times, than they realised.) In due course of time, the Seafield Hall of l91l became the main Church of Scotland hall in the village.

There were in fact three churches in Portknockie (in addition to Brethren meeting halls). The Anderson family worshiped at the Seafield Kirk (a Church of Scotland site) beside the school on the way out of Portknockie (now a private home) next to its Manse ‘Culane’ which is the last house in Portknockie on the road to Cullen. The Seafield Church was sold in 1964 and much of its contents removed to the current Church of Scotland in Church street.....including the plaque commemorating those members of the Seafield Church who fell in the Great war. It is on this plaque that James’s name appears. Anne Anderson writes: 'I had always wondered why there were two plaques of WW1 commemoration in the Church with one being a fancy brass affair and the other (from the Seafield Church and bearing James’s name) being much plainer'. The Rev James MacIntyre was in 1899 the Chairman of the Harbour Commissioners and went to Parliament to press claims for a grant to complete Portknockie Harbour.

A communion card for Private James Anderson, Gordon Highlander - 1914 or 15 after he volunteered. He worshipped at the Seafield Kirk, Portknockie.

This was the church where the Anderson family worshipped before its move to Church Street. Sited at E end of Rathven parish and designed as a chapel of ease for the use of the expanding burgh of Portknockie and the Cullen Seatown. It was converted to a house in 1971. It is about a 5 minute walk from Mizpah, the Anderson family home from 1902.