MILITARY HISTORY

Private Allan Ethelbert Gordon Sanderson — 552619 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)

Allan Ethelbert Gordon Sanderson completed the Attestation Paper, Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force (CEF) [O/S] on May 18, 1915. He was 26 years, 1 month and 28 days old when, as a single man, he filled out the Attestation Paper at Macleod, Alberta. Allan Ethelbert Gordon was born in Peterborough, Ontario; his date of birth was March 17, 1889. Allan Ethelbert Gordon was 5′ 6″ tall and had a 35½” chest (expanded), blue eyes, brown hair and weighed 130 pounds. His next-of-kin was his mother, Mrs. M. E. (Helena) Sanderson, Macleod, Alberta. Allan Ethelbert Gordon gave his professional occupation as a Farmer. His Unit in the Military was the 23rd Alberta Rangers as a Sergeant; he was with them for one year (1910). Allan Ethelbert Gordon’s Medical Examination was done on May 18, 1915 in Macleod; he was considered fit for Service with the CEF (O/S). Allan Ethelbert Gordon Sanderson was enlisted on May 18, 1915 with the 13th Battalion (Bn), Canadian Mounted Rifles (CMR) CEF for the duration of the War and was assigned the Rank of Private (Pte). There is a 1 year, 1 month and 8 day gap in Pte Sanderson’s File from May 18, 1915 to June 26, 1916 with the exception of two periods of Leave. Pte Sanderson was granted a Harvesters Pass from August 7 to September 7, 1915 and another one from September 18 to October 1, 1915. The remainder of the period of time would have been utilized to do training and assigned duties in Canada with the 13th Bn, CMR. Training would probably have been conducted in the Calgary area and he then was moved to Nova Scotia. He embarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia on June 26, 1916 and disembarked at Liverpool, England on July 6, 1916. July 1, 1916 Pte Sanderson made a Pay Assignment of $15.00 monthly to his mother, Mrs. Helena Sanderson of Macleod, Alberta.

July 19, 1916 Pte Sanderson and the 13th Bn, CMR was transferred to the Canadian Command Depot (CCD) at Shorncliffe, England. The same day he was taken-on-strength of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadian) Reserve Regiment [LSH (RC) RR] at Shorncliffe by CCD Order. August 6, 1916 Pte Sanderson was admitted to the Moore Barracks Canadian Hospital at Shorncliffe with German Measles (Rubella); he stated that he had Whooping Cough as a child. August 22, 1916 he was discharged from the Moore Barracks Canadian Hospital to his Unit, the LSH (RC) RR. December 17, 1916 Pte Sanderson was struck-off-strength from the LSH (RC) RR to the Canadian Corps Cavalry (CCC) Regiment on proceeding Overseas (France) from Shorncliffe. His next-of-kin, Mrs. Helena Sanderson was living at Box B.25, Macleod, Alberta. December 19, 1916 Pte Sanderson was struck-off-strength from the CBD and taken-on-strength as a reinforcement with the CCC Regiment in the Field.

January 1, 1917 Pte Sanderson joined his Unit, the CCC Regiment in the Field. February 21, 1917 the CCC Regiment was known as the Canadian Light Horse (CLH); a cavalry unit, originally intended as a scouting force. March 17, 1917 he was attached to the 1st Canadian Machine Gun Brigade (CMGB) in the Field. April 28, 1917 it was reported from the Base in the Field that Pte Sanderson was killed-in-action near Rouen, France and ceased to be attached to the 1st CMGB, CLH.

April 28, 1917 the Canadian Records Office reported from the Base that Pte Sanderson was killed-in-action in France. May 31, 1917 the Administration Personnel Section closed Private Sanderson’s financial accounts; his next-of-kin would receive $165.00 from his Pay Assignment and $336.40 from his Pay Account.

There is no mention in Private Allan Ethelbert Gordon Sanderson’s File with regards to what Military Medals he was eligible to receive. Based on his Military Service, he was eligible for the:
British War Medal; and
Victory Medal.
He was also eligible for the CEF Class “A” War Service Badge.

Allan Ethelbert Gordon Sanderson’s Plaque and Scroll were dispatched to his mother, Mrs. Helena Sanderson, Box B.25 Macleod, Alberta on January 10, 1921; his Cross of Sacrifice was dispatched to his mother, (same address) on September 22, 1921 and his Medals and Decorations were also dispatched to his mother (same address) on April 6, 1922.

Private Allan Ethelbert Gordon Sanderson served for about: 1 year 1 month in Canada; 5 months and 11 days in the United Kingdom; 4 months, 11 days in France and 10 days Travel Time for a total time of about 1 year, 11 months and 18 days.

Private Allan Ethelbert Gordon Sanderson is interred in the Orchard Dump Cemetery; Pas-de-Calais, France. The location is as follows:
Orchard Dump Cemetery is in the village of Arleux-en-Gohelle, on the main road (D919) from Arras to Henin-Lietard. The cemetery lies on the left side of this road approximately 1 kilometre from the village of Bailleul-Sire-Berthoult.

An excerpt from an article in McLean’s magazine by Barbara Amiel, September 1996:

The military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honorable?

PERSONAL INFORMATION

ALLAN ETHELBERT GORDON SANDERSON

Allan Ethelbert Gordon Sanderson was born on March 17, 1889 in Smith Township, the son of Michael Edward Sanderson and Helena Graham. He was raised on the family farm and attended the local school. Sometime after 1906, the family moved west and settled in Fort Macleod, Claresholm District in Alberta. Allan worked on the farm before he enlisted in Fort Macleod on May 18, 1915 to serve his King and Country. Sadly Private Allan Ethelbert Gordon Sanderson was killed in action in France on April 28, 1917, the same day his brother Francis Edward Sanderson won “Bravery in Field Military Medal”. He is remembered with honour in the Orchard Dump Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

Allan Ethelbert Gordon Sanderson was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church and is included on a Memorial Plaque that hung in Knox Presbyterian Church which remembers with honour their members who served in the Armed Forces during World War I.  This plaque was later moved to the Sanctuary of Lakefield United Church on Regent Street in 1932 after the two churches merged to form Lakefield United Church.

THE ALLAN ETHELBERT GORDON SANDERSON FAMILY OF SMITH TOWNSHIP

Allan Ethelbert Gordon Sanderson’s paternal grandparents were Edmund and Christie Sanderson. His maternal grandparents were John and Anne Graham.

Allan Ethelbert Gordon Sanderson’s parents were Michael Edward Sanderson born in Smith Township on October 10, 1846 and Helena Graham born in Smith Township on August 12, 1849. They were married on October 17, 1867 in the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Smith Township by Rev. Samuel Wilson. They settled on a farm in the northern part of Smith Township and had a family of nine children: Ann Jane; Clara Isabella; Gertrude; William Vernon; Robert Roy; Mildred Margaret; Allan Ethelbert; Hazel Helena and Frank Graham Sanderson. Sometime after 1906, the family moved west and settled on a farm in Fort Macleod, Claresholm District in Alberta. Shortly after arriving, Michael Sanderson passed away in 1910 and Helena Sanderson died in 1931; both are buried in the Union Cemetery in Fort Macleod, Claresholm District, Alberta.

Fort Macleod, originally named Macleod, is a town in the southwest corner of the province of Alberta, Canada. It was founded as a North-West Mounted Police barracks, and is named in honour of the North-West Mounted Police Colonel James Macleod. It was known as the Town of Macleod between 1892 and 1912.