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Gerard Anderson

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Gerard Rupert Lawrence "Laurie" Anderson (15 March 1889 – November 1914) was a British hurdler who participated in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics and held the world record for the 440-yards hurdles.

Life

Gerard Anderson was born in Twickenham, a village and a parish in Brentford district, Middlesex county in Greater London, England.[1][2] His parents were David Anderson (b. 1844), an Anglican prebendary, and Blanch Alice May Anderson (b. 1857). He also had a sister, Mona Constance Anabel (b. 1884), and a brother, Arthur Emilius David (b. 1887).[1][2] He attended Eton and Oxford University. He was the AAA champion at the 120-yards hurdles in 1909-1910 and 1912.[3] On July 16, 1910 at the Crystal Palace, Anderson set the first IAAF world record in the 440-yards hurdles with a time of 56.8 seconds.[3][4] Anderson took part in the Stockholm Olympics in 1912 and was favored to win a medal, but had an accident during the Men's 110 metres and was disqualified. Anderson's brother Arthur Anderson was also a noted track star and competed in the 100 metres competition as well as of the 200 metres event. After graduating university, Anderson became a manager at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead.[3]

During the First World War Anderson joined the British Army and gained a commission as a Second Lieutenant.[3] On October 16, 1914 he joined 3rd Bn. attd. 1st Bn. Cheshire Regiment and he saw action with this unit in France and Belgium [1][3][5][6] On November 7 Anderson was mortally wounded at Hooge, near Ypres. Also killed were Captain George Bertram Pollock-Hodsoll and four enlisted men. Anderson's unit successfully repelled a German attack and captured twenty-five enemy troops.[6] There are differing accounts of Anderson's death from his wounds. Battalion records state he was killed on November 7, the day he was wounded.[6] A sports biography places his death on November 9.[3] And records from the Commonweath War Graves Commission place his death on November 11.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d ANDERSON, GERARD RUPERT LAURIE. Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
  2. ^ a b "RG number: RG14. Piece: 424. Reference: RG14PN424 RG78PN14 RD5 SD1 ED10 SN104. Registration District: St George. Sub District: Mayfair and Knights Bridge. Enumeration District: 10 Parish: St George Hanover Square. Address: 15 Grosvenor St W. County: London". http://www.findmypast.co.uk. Retrieved 26 October 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e f Laurie Anderson. Sports-Reference.com
  4. ^ G.E. Conway. "Officers of the 1st Battalion, Killed in Action, August - December 1914". Grandad's War. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  5. ^ ENGLAND LOSING ATHLETES; Many Prominent in Sporting Circles Die on Battle Fields. New York Times. 1 Dec 1914
  6. ^ a b c G.E. Conway. "1 st Battalion The Cheshire Regiment War Diaries (August to December 1914)" (PDF). Grandad's War. Retrieved 26 October 2012.

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