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Anderson, Kenneth Primrose

Kenneth Primrose Anderson was born on 11 August 1896 in Kiama to Thomas Primrose Anderson and Sarah Emily Fuller of Dunmore. Thomas Anderson had been born in Lanark, Scotland, in December 1869, and graduated as a Medical Doctor at the Glasgow College. Sarah Emily Fuller, Kenneth’s mother, had been born and raised in Kiama. Thomas Anderson and Sarah Fuller had married in Wollongong in 1894. Thomas Anderson, who had been a very welcome and well-respected doctor throughout the district, died of tuberculosis on 31 July 1898, leaving Sarah to raise their two-year-old son, Kenneth Primrose Anderson.

Sarah Anderson and her young son Kenneth stayed in the Kiama district, with the support of Sarah’s family. Sarah was the daughter of George and Sarah Fuller.

Kenneth Anderson attended Miss Swindale’s School from 1903 through to 1909, and continued his education at the Sydney Church of England Grammar School, Northbridge. Kenneth’s name was included on the SCEGS Memorial Cricket Ground WW1 Roll of Honour. He was also a member of the Junior Cadets for three years while he attended the school.

Archive records held in Canberra show that in January 1914, Kenneth and his mother had left Australia, travelling through the UK and Europe, and found themselves in Paris when war was declared. They managed to gain a berth on a ship from Brindisi to Ireland, and then secured passage home to Australia, arriving in September 1914.

Kenneth Anderson’s first attempt to enlist for military service was rejected because of ‘varicocele’, but at a later date, with his mother’s permission as he was under 21 years of age, he was finally successful. He enlisted on 5 September 1916. Kenneth was inducted into the 1st Division Artillery Column - Field Artillery at the Show Ground Camp, Sydney, on 19 September 1916.

Kenneth Anderson’s medical report states that he was 20 years old, 5ft 9 ins tall, weighed 132lbs, and had a chest measurement of 31ins to 34ins expanded. His complexion was noted as medium and he had brown hair and brown eyes. His occupation as ‘Farm Manager’ and he was of the Presbyterian faith. Kenneth Primrose Anderson was allocated Service Number 31999 and the rank of Private. Two months later, on 19 November, Kenneth was appointed as a gunner, and then on 1 December 1916 he was designated as Driver in the 1st Australian Divisional Ammunition Column (D.A.C.) Unit.

However, just over two weeks later, Kenneth Anderson deserted the Marrickville Military camp where he was based. His disappearance was noted in the NSW Police Gazette dated 6 December 1916. Perhaps he was AWOL for just a couple of days, or perhaps it was a misunderstanding. Nevertheless, Kenneth was back at camp within three days, as the warrant for his arrest had been cancelled.

It was noted in Kenneth Anderson’s service record that he suffered from influenza and constipation during November 1916. However, he recovered and was well enough to embark from Sydney on 10 February 1917, aboard the Osterley. His unit disembarked two months later in Plymouth, on 12 April 1917. Interestingly, on 9 September 1917, Kenneth Anderson was found guilty of ‘overstaying leave’ and was awarded six days field punishment and forfeiture of nine days pay. On 10 September 1917, he was awarded another two days field punishment for leaving parade without permission.

On 21 September 1917, Kenneth Anderson proceeded to France before going to Belgium in October 1917. There is no mention of active service on the battlefield within his military records, but it is probable that he was involved in the battles on the Western Front. On 26 April 1919, Kenneth was transferred back to England, and four months later, in August 1919, he was finally on his way home to Australia aboard the Konig Frederick August, which landed in Sydney on 10 August 1919.

Kenneth Primrose Anderson was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal No: 70602 and Victory Medal No: 67722.

After demobilisation, Kenneth Anderson spent several years jackerooing in Queensland and later became a pastoral student to F.S. Faulkner & Sons Ltd in Boonoke, North Widgiewa, NSW.

As a veteran, Kenneth Anderson was eligible to enter a ballot for what was known as ‘Soldier Settlement Blocks’. He entered the ballot in 1925, but was unsuccessful in gaining a lease. However, a year later he was offered, and accepted, a 1503 acre lease in the Stromlo district of Canberra. Farming was difficult enough in the best of times, and by the 1930s the depression was in full swing and Kenneth was unable to hold on to his lease. He had built a home and made improvements to the property over the time of his lease. However, despite several appeals for leniency and assistance to the Civic Administrator for the district, he had to relinquish his rights. In November 1932, Kenneth Anderson transferred his lease to another grazier and was able to relieve himself of his debts.

In September 1934, Kenneth Anderson married Miss Beryl Moyle Jones, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel and Mrs H.E. Jones of Canberra. They made their home in the rural districts of Canberra as Kenneth had, in 1933, secured a lease on a property at Brindabella. In 1936, Kenneth took over the lease on a property known as Pine Ridge at Weetangera in the Belconnen district of Canberra. Kenneth and Beryl had two sons, Ian Primrose Anderson, born in 1936, and Alan Kenneth Anderson, born in 1938. The property remained as the family home until 1975.

Kenneth Anderson had been very active in the farming and rural community for most of his adult life. He was instrumental in the formation of the Rural Lessees Association, whose aim was to protect and improve conditions for farmers. In 1942, Kenneth Anderson was appointed to the Stock Dispersal Committee for the ACT.

With the outbreak of WW2, Kenneth Anderson again offered his services to the military. He re-enlisted in Canberra on 13 June 1942 and was inducted into the 21 Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) on part-time duty with a new Service No: N394180.

After a life on the land interrupted by two World Wars, Kenneth Primrose Anderson passed away on 16 March 1988 in Canberra Hospital. Kenneth Anderson is remembered in the Norwood Park Crematorium, Canberra.

Kenneth’s wife, Beryl, died eight months later and was placed with Kenneth at the Norwood Park Crematorium, Canberra.