William John Anderson was born on the 9th June 1895 to James and Annie Anderson (nee Gillespie) of Moydalgan. He was educated at Artana National School between Dromara and Kinallen. In 1913 the family moved to 4, Double Row, New Lanark, for work where William took up employment at the Gourock Ropeworks in Renfrew. After joining the Territorials in March 1914 at Dunoon in Ayrshire, William volunteered for foreign service at the outbreak of war and served with the British Expeditionary Force in France from 12th July 1915 until he was killed in action at Loos, aged 20, on the 25th or 26th September the same year. William was buried on the 3rd October, where he fell, in front of the first line of German trenches.

Private W.E Parry of C Squadron, 9th Lancers wrote “ His death probably took place on or about the 26th September and he formed one of a bombing party whose duty it was to advance first and clear the way for a general attack. As you have read, the taking of the trenches was a complete success and you can rest assured your son died practically instantaneously, only a few yards from the coveted goal.”

Although originally buried with 9 of his comrades, the graves were lost in further fighting. William has no known grave and is commemorated on Loos Memorial and Ballynahinch War Memorial.