Squadron Leader William Brodie Anderson
Killed in Action in WW2
Date of Death:
Service Biography
Son of Dr. Robert Brodie Anderson and Margaret Ella Ness Anderson
General Information
Conflict:
WW2
Regimental No.:
J8924
Cause of Death (in war):
Killed in Action
Branch:
Air Force
Regiment:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Battalion:
429 Squadron
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
267 Scotia St., Winnipeg, Manitoba
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
26 years 5 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
29 years 5 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
29 years 5 months
Country Born:
Trade or Calling:
Miner
Next of Kin:
Son of Dr. Robert Brodie Anderson. M.D., and Margaret Ness Anderson, of West Kildonan, Manitoba, Canada.
Address at Enlistment:
13 Eyre St., Sudbury, Ontario
Religion:
Presbyterian
Place of Enlistment:
North Bay, Ontario
Was a Prisoner of War:
Height:
5 ft 10.0 in / 178 cm
Weight:
190 lbs / 86 kg
Chest:
37.5 in / 95 cm
Expansion:
1.5 in / 4 cm
Marital Status:
Single
Prior Military Experience:
No
Saw Service in:
Europe
Place of Discharge:
Discharge Type:
Died in Service
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
Length of Service:
1080 days in service
Buried at:
Plot:
49. G. 9.
Links
Images
William Brodie Anderson
William Brodie Anderson Grave
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW2 |
Squadron Leader |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Air Force |
429 Squadron |
|
|
|
Awards
| Conflict |
Award |
Action |
Date of Award |
Date of Citation |
Source |
| WW2 |
Distinguished Flying Cross |
|
|
|
London Gazette on July 7, 1944 |
This pilot has taken part in many attacks on targets in Germany and has invariably displayed a high degree of skill and gallantry. On a recent occasion when returning from an operation against Karlsruhe, his aircraft was hit by antiaircraft fire, Squadron Leader Anderson was injured about the eyes and although temporarily blinded he piloted the aircraft clear of the target area,
He was born and educated in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He enlisted in North Bay, Ontario in April, 1941. |
Notes
Anderson Point, Northwest Territories was named after William Brodie Anderson.
Education
1920-1928 Seven Oaks School
1928-1933 St. John's College Hifh School
1933-1936 University of Manitoba - Faculty of Engineering
Work Experience
1934-1936 Central Manitoba Miones as a Miner
1937-1941 International Nickel Co. of Can. (Creighton Mine) -Driller, blaster, motorman, leader in Stope, Engineering office ,Production Records,Underground, surveying.
Additional Service Notes
Wounded by flak 26 April 1944. Abrasions to forehead, Conjunctivitis and eye,
While on operations on the night of 7/8-6-44. this officer was fatally wounded by enemy flak. Three of the crew baled out on orders, the remaining three staying with S/L Anderson who was pilot of the Halifax, serial io. LW128. The aircraft was flown by a crew member back over England where S/L Anderson was parachuted from the aircraft on a static 1ine near Benson Airfield. The remainder of the crew also baled out, S/L Anderson was dead when located. The plane crashed 1/2 mile north of Benson airfield at 0320 hours on 8 June 1944.
Your son anti his crew were engaged in an operational flight over Acheres, France, on the Night of 7th-8th June and., during the outward. journey, while over the French coast, their aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, your son receiving wounds which proved fatal. He gave orders to abandon the aircraft but three members of the crew, realizing the seriousness of their captairi' s condition, remained behind to render first aid and assist him in bringing the aircraft back to England. On reaching the English coast, Brodie became too weak to handle the aircraft so a crew member, although he had no previous experience, took control and. flew the aircraft until preparations could be made to abandon it. Two of the crew parachuted your son from the aircraft on a static line in ai effort to save his life and, although this was a successful parachute jump , he was dead when medical assistance reached him.
Brodie's funeral took place at Brookwood on Monday the 12th of June at 2:45 PM. He was buried with full Service honours and the funeral was attended by the surviving members of his crew and as many officers from this station as could be there, including his fell flight commander.
Additional Next of Kin Notes
Son of Dr. Robert Brodie Anderson and Margaret Ella Ness Anderson of West Kildonan, Manitoba. Mother was born in Ormstown, Quebec
Married Howick, Quebec Oct 12 1910
Note: Brodie used Margaret Orr Ness Anderson as his mothers name, mistakenly thinking she was named for his great-aunt.
Dr. Brodie died 29 April 1944. He had served in WW1.
Brother of Squadron Leader John Alan Anderson, who died during service with the Royal Canadian Air Force
Leading Aircraftman Robert N. Anderson, J43370 who also served with the Royal Canadian Air Force, and Margaret Patricia (Mrs. R. N. Killingbeck).
