Douglas Thomas Anderson (1916 - 1943)

Born 4 Aug 1916 in Ontario, Canada

Died 23 Dec 1943 at age 27 in Italy

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Biography

Douglas Anderson served in the Canadian Army in World War II
Service started: Aug 1941
Unit(s): Hasting & Prince Edwards Regiment
Service ended: KIA 23 Dec 1943

Douglas Anderson was Killed in Action during World War II.

Obituary

Killed While on Active Service

Lieut. T. D. Anderson of Owen Sound Reported Killed in Italy on Dec. 23rd -- Brother of Mrs. Jas. Dougherty, of Meaford

Lieut. Thomas Douglas Anderson of Owen Sound, aged 26, has officially been reported killed in Italy on Dec. 23. Word to that effect has been received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Anderson, 285 10th St. E.

Lieut. Anderson will be mourned by many friends in Owen Sound, where he was educated and where he was educated and where he was employed prior to his enlistment in the Canadian Army in August of 1941. He attended Strathcona Public School and the Collegiate Institute, before entering the employ of the Canadian Bank of Commerce. He went overseas in March of 1943.

Lieut. Anderson was unmarried. Besides his parents, he is survived by a brother, Driver W. Harry Anderson, who has been in Britain for nearly three years, and by a sister, Billie, whose husband, Cpl. James Dougherty, is also overseas.

Mrs. Dougherty, who has been visiting her parents in Owen Sound, is remaining with them for another month.

Printed in local Owen Sound paper (January 6, 1944)

Memorial Service

Memory of Late Lieut. Anderson Honored Sunday

A memorial service in honor of the late Lieut. Thomas Douglas Anderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Anderson, 285 10th Street East, who was killed in action in Italy on December 23rd last, was held on Sunday evening in the Church of Christ Disciples, and was attended by the parents, relatives, and friends. Rev. T. M. Murray, interim pastor, was in charge of the service, which was in charge of the service, which was a most impressive one, and the speaker was Rev. O.W. McCully, a former pastor, who was an intimate acquaintance and close friends of the deceased soldier.

The service opened with the singing of that familiar hymn, "O God Our Help in Ages Past," and there were two solos, one by Mrs. D. Patterson, and one, at the close by Mrs. Kenneth Ellis, both feelingly and beautifully rendered, adding a note of great solemnity to the gathering.

Lieut. Anderson was a member of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, which has a remarkable record of achievement in the Italian campaign. This Regiment is at present in command of Lieut. Col. A.A. "Bert" Kennedy, D&O., of Owen Sound, and Mrs. Kennedy represented her husband at the memorial service for Lieut. Anderson.

Rev. Mr. McCully in his address did not select a text, but began by paying a high tribute to the late Lieut. Anderson, who had become one of his acquaintances early in his ministry in Owen Sound. He had been impressed right at the start with his concern for others, and his keen desire to help all he could among the young people both in the church and out of it. "He was faithful, dependable, optimistic, and unafraid," said Mr. McCully, and worked hard to achieve his desires. He declared that there was nothing too menial or too difficult for him to give of his best, and he possessed those qualities which we all must have if we are to have a decent society.

Reference was made to his friendliness, and his concern for the welfare of those about was more than casual. This was especially true as it pertained to the church. He was not surprised when he had read about him as he served his country in the war. He was interested in the men about him more than in himself and for this trait of character he was respected wherever he went. His actions would indicate a closely knit fellowship which was a valuable, and on this occasion they were honoring him for the things for which he stood. He died that we might live and enjoy our freedom of life. It was his to serve all in all humility for justice, freedom, decency, and fair play.

"Why is it all?" asked the speaker, as he declared this was the question being asked in these tremendous days through which we are passing. Many of us have measured life by days rather than service, but our responsibility is greater than that. The quality of our life should be the standard set by Christ. There is too much greed and selfishness, and the great problem of after the war is not going to be solved by these things. Christ gave without counting the cost, and that must be our standard.

"I am concerned about this country; we are living in a tremendous time; these are not days for selfish living, but for service and much will depend on how we measure up to that high standard of life," said the speaker.

Reference was feelingly made to those who are serving in this war, their confidence, their optimist, to those who have fallen he said they had done a good job, and fought to the bitter end, to the last man, and so we are left to carry on in the years to come, which he said was a great heritage as well as a great responsibility. We could not help wondering how the ranks would be filled, and this was meant solely in respect to the forces.

"We must accept the great responsibility which is ours; we have had no bombings, but have been living in a secure world because of those who have sacrificed themselves. We had better learn to act together, to live together, and to understand each other if we are to survive the great things that are happening in the world today," declared Mr. McCully, in closing his address.

During the service two minutes of silence was observed in memory of the late Lieut. Anderson.

Printed in local Owen Sound paper (March 8, 1944)

Sources

• Ancestry.com. Ontario, Canada, Deaths, 1869-1938, 1943-1944, and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Series: MS944; Reel: 4
• Find A Grave: Memorial #56517112
• https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2203920/anderson,-douglas-thomas/