William (Bill) ANDERSON

ANDERSON, William

Service Numbers: Q11356, QX38797
Enlisted: 18 March 1941, Brisbane, Queensland
Last Rank: Craftsman
Last Unit: 2nd AIF Light Aid Detachments
Born: Brisbane, Queensland, 24 December 1921
Home Town: Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland
Schooling: Coolangatta State School
Occupation: Gas Inspector at retirement (Qld Gov)
Died: Natural causes, Brisbane, Queensland, 7 July 2013, aged 91 years
Cemetery: Not yet discovered
Memorials:
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World War 2 Service

18 Mar 1941: Enlisted Private, Q11356, Brisbane, Queensland
19 Mar 1941: Involvement Q11356, also QX38797
14 Sep 1942: Enlisted Private, QX38797, Brisbane, Queensland
21 Nov 1945: Discharged Craftsman, QX38797, 2nd AIF Light Aid Detachments

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Biography

William (Bill) Anderson's service records have him as born 24 December 1920 however as was common during those days he lied about his age to join the Army. He was actually born in 1921. His girlfriend and later wife Joan would go to Gona Barracks on Kelvin Grove Road with her sisters to watch him train. When he was away in New Guinea during WWII Joan would instruct their young son and daughter to kiss a photo of him every night.

When he was discharged, he was regarded as quite the stranger to his kids. Another son was born after the war. For reasons Bill took to his grave, he only ever marched in one Anzac Day parade. He preferred to spend the day at home with his family and never discussed his war-time experiences with his children and their later offspring.

Bill remained married to Joan until she passed away in 1997, a marriage that lasted 57 years. Bill died aged 91 in 2013, a Father of three, Grandfather of seven, a Great-grandfather of 10 and a Great-great-grandfather of three. 

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