John Anderson was the son of Joseph and Alice Mary Anderson, of Stratford, New Zealand.

Estaires town was occupied by French cavalry on the 15th October, 1914, and passed at once into British hands. On the 10th April, 1918 it was captured by the enemy, after an obstinate defence by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division; and it was finally retaken by British troops at the beginning of September, 1918. The town was a Field Ambulance centre as early as November, 1914, and later the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station was posted in it. It was later "adopted" by the County Borough of Plymouth. Estaires Communal Cemetery was used for British burials from the early days of November, 1914 to June, 1917. AWMM