Trooper Willis Joseph Anderson
Survivor of WW2
Date of Death:
Service Biography
Willis Joseph Anderson was born at Huntingdon, Quebec, on 7 August 1911 and attended Huntingdon Academy there. Before the war he worked on the family farm until 1940, and from 1940-41 in the defence industry in Montreal as a machinist. He also served with the 6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars in the Non-Permanent Active Militia. He enlisted for active service at Montreal South, Quebec, on 2 May 1941 as D-76 and served with the Canadian Armoured Corps as a driver for the General Staff in Canada, the United Kingdom (24 months), Italy (17 months) and Northwest Europe (6 months). He assumed the rank of Lance Corporal in February 1943, with substantive appointment effective 2 May 1943, and reverted to Trooper on 7 July 1944. He was discharged at Montreal on 7 December 1945 on demobilization.
Willis Joseph Anderson died on 27 March 2000 in Hamilton, Ontario and is buried near the farm he grew up on in Hinchenbrooke, Quebec.
General Information
Conflict:
WW2
Regimental No.:
D 76
Cause of Death (in war):
Survived
Branch:
Army
Regiment:
Canadian Armoured Corps
Battalion:
Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Huntingdon, Quebec
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
29 years 8 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
34 years 4 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
88 years 9 months
Country Born:
Canada
Trade or Calling:
Driver / machinist
Next of Kin:
Carl Anderson (brother), Huntingdon, Quebec
Address at Enlistment:
2075 Dorchester Street West, Montreal, Quebec
Religion:
United Church of Canada
Place of Enlistment:
Montreal South, Quebec
Was a Prisoner of War:
No
Height:
5 ft 8.0 in / 173 cm
Weight:
138 lbs / 63 kg
Chest:
34.0 in / 86 cm
Expansion:
3.0 in / 8 cm
Marital Status:
Single
Prior Military Experience:
Yes
Saw Service in:
Europe
Place of Discharge:
Montreal, Quebec
Discharge Type:
Regular/End of Service
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
Length of Service:
1680 days in service
Buried at:
Links
Images
Willis Joseph Anderson
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW2 |
Trooper |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division |
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Trooper |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
4th District Depot |
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Trooper |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
452 C.D., M.D. 4, Stmn T&D 'C' |
|
|
|
| Demobilization/repatriation posting; the source abbreviation is preserved because the file does not write out the full unit title. |
| WW2 |
Trooper |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
X-3 List, 5th Canadian Armoured Division |
|
|
|
| Reverted to Trooper and was struck off strength to the X-3 List effective 7 Jul 1944 during the medical-treatment period. |
| WW2 |
Lance Corporal |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division |
|
|
|
| Appointed acting Lance Corporal effective 2 Feb 1943; substantive appointment was effective 2 May 1943. |
| WW2 |
Trooper |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division |
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Trooper |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
Headquarters, First Canadian Army |
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Trooper |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
3rd Canadian Armoured Corps Reinforcement Unit |
|
|
|
| Struck off strength from Headquarters, First Canadian Army on admission to No. 5 Canadian General Hospital and taken on strength of 3 CACRU. |
| WW2 |
Trooper |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
Headquarters, First Canadian Army |
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Trooper |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
Headquarters, 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade |
|
|
|
| Attached from Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division for all purposes effective 3 Feb 1942; formal posting was completed in May 1942. |
| WW2 |
Trooper |
Canadian Armoured Corps |
Army |
Headquarters Squadron, 6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars |
|
|
|
Awards
| Conflict |
Award |
Action |
Date of Award |
Date of Citation |
Source |
| WW2 |
Canadian Army Good Conduct Badge |
|
|
|
|
| WW2 |
1939-1945 Star |
|
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Italy Star |
|
|
|
|
| WW2 |
France-Germany Star |
|
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Defence Medal |
|
|
|
|
| WW2 |
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp |
|
|
|
|
| WW2 |
War Medal 1939-1945 |
|
|
|
|
Service Chronology
"1911-08-07 — Born — Huntingdon, Quebec
1940-07 — Entered Non-Permanent Active Militia service — 6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars
1941-05-02 — Enlisted for active service — Montreal South, Quebec
1941-09-25 — Granted special transportation warrant in connection with command duty — Canada
1941-10-06 — Proceeded on command for special duty — Canada
1941-10-09 — Struck off strength, Canadian Army (Canada) — Canada
1941-10-10 — Taken on strength, Canadian Army (Overseas); overseas service began — United Kingdom
1941-10-20 — Attached to No. 1 Canadian B.R.D. for rations, quarters and pay — United Kingdom
1941-10-22 — Ceased attachment to No. 1 Canadian B.R.D. for rations and quarters — United Kingdom
1941-10-23 — Attached to headquarters organization for rations and quarters — United Kingdom
1941-11-01 — Ceased to be on command except for pay — United Kingdom
1941-11-09 — Ceased temporary headquarters attachment — United Kingdom
1941-12-01 — Returned from command — United Kingdom
1942-01-05 to 1942-01-10 — Granted landing leave — United Kingdom
1942-02-03 — Attached to Headquarters, 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade from Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division for all purposes — United Kingdom
1942-04-07 to 1942-04-14 — Granted privilege leave — United Kingdom
1942-05-14 — Struck off strength of Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division on posting to Headquarters, 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade — United Kingdom
1942-05-15 — Taken on strength of Headquarters, 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade from Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division — United Kingdom
1942-09-08 — Struck off strength of Headquarters, 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade for Headquarters, First Canadian Army — United Kingdom
1942-09-09 — Taken on strength of Headquarters, First Canadian Army from Headquarters, 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade — United Kingdom
1942-10-20 to 1942-10-27 — Granted privilege leave — United Kingdom
1942-10-30 — Forfeited 10 days pay under F.R. & I. 149(2) — Headquarters, First Canadian Army, United Kingdom
1942-11-06 — Admitted sick with pharyngitis — No. 14 Canadian General Hospital, United Kingdom
1942-11-18 — Discharged from hospital / returned to duty — United Kingdom
1942-12-17 — Admitted to 6 Casualty Clearing Station — United Kingdom
1942-12-22 — Transferred from 6 Casualty Clearing Station to No. 5 Canadian General Hospital; diagnosis on transfer recorded as infectious mononucleosis — United Kingdom
1942-12-22 — Struck off strength of Headquarters, First Canadian Army on admission to No. 5 Canadian General Hospital — United Kingdom
1942-12-23 — Taken on strength of 3rd Canadian Armoured Corps Reinforcement Unit from Headquarters, First Canadian Army — United Kingdom
1943-01-05 — Local tonsillectomy for chronic tonsillitis — No. 5 Canadian General Hospital, Taplow, Buckinghamshire
1943-01-13 — Discharged from No. 5 Canadian General Hospital — Taplow, Buckinghamshire
1943-01-18 — Struck off strength of 3rd Canadian Armoured Corps Reinforcement Unit for Headquarters, First Canadian Army — United Kingdom
1943-01-19 — Taken on strength of Headquarters, First Canadian Army from 3rd Canadian Armoured Corps Reinforcement Unit — United Kingdom
1943-01-20 — Struck off strength of Headquarters, First Canadian Army for Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division — United Kingdom
1943-01-21 — Taken on strength of Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division from Headquarters, First Canadian Army — United Kingdom
1943-02-01 to 1943-02-08 — Granted 7 days leave — United Kingdom
1943-02-02 — Appointed acting Lance Corporal — Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division, United Kingdom
1943-05-02 — Substantive appointment as Lance Corporal became effective — Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division, United Kingdom
1943-05-20 to 1943-05-29 — Granted 9 days leave — United Kingdom
1943-09-16 to 1943-09-26 — Granted 9 days leave — United Kingdom
1943-10-26 — Struck off strength, Canadian Army (United Kingdom), on embarkation — United Kingdom
1943-10-27 — Taken on strength, Canadian Army (Mediterranean) — Central Mediterranean Force / Italy
1944-04-02 — Awarded Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp — Overseas
1944-07-07 — Reverted from Lance Corporal to Trooper; struck off strength to the X-3 List — Italy
1944-07-21 — Admitted for treatment of chronic ulcers of the left leg — No. 15 Canadian General Hospital / Canadian medical chain, Italy
1944-09-21 — Discharged from No. 15 Canadian General Hospital and transferred for convalescence — Italy
1944-10-28 — Returned/posted from medical X-list sequence — Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division, Italy
1944-10-30 — Awarded Canadian Army Good Conduct Badge — Italy
1944-11-06 — Admitted to No. 14 Canadian General Hospital for anorexia, mouth/throat ulceration and sore throat; investigated for infection/malaria — Italy
1944-11-18 — Discharged from No. 14 Canadian General Hospital and returned to Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division — Italy
1945-03-18 — Embarked from Italy with Canadian Army (CMF) — Italy
1945-03-20 — Disembarked in France — France
1945-04-05 — Struck off strength to X-4 List — Northwest Europe
1945-04-06 — Taken on strength from X-4 List — Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division, Northwest Europe
1945-04-28 to 1945-05-11 — Granted 9 days privilege leave to the United Kingdom with allowance — United Kingdom
1945-05-11 — Returned from privilege leave — Northwest Europe
1945-05-26 — Qualified to Trooper standard, trade group 'C' — Northwest Europe
1945-09-12 — Struck off strength of Headquarters, 5th Canadian Armoured Division — Northwest Europe
1945-09-13 — Taken on strength of 452 C.D., M.D. 4, Stmn T&D 'C' — Northwest Europe
1945-09-16 — Embarked from Northwest Europe — Northwest Europe to United Kingdom
1945-09-17 — Disembarked — United Kingdom
1945-10-20 — Struck off strength, Canadian Army Overseas — United Kingdom
1945-10-21 — Taken on strength, 4th District Depot — Montreal, Quebec
1945-10-29 to 1945-12-05 — Granted leave and ration allowance — Canada
1945-11-08 to 1945-12-06 — Demobilization Medical Board proceedings; no current complaint and no treatment indicated — Montreal South, Quebec
1945-12-07 — Discharged on demobilization — Montreal, Quebec
1946-05-06 — Acknowledged receipt of personal kit; postwar address recorded — 81 Oxford Street, Hamilton, Ontario
1946-05-21 — Postwar address recorded for gratuity administration — 4167 Dorchester Street West, Montreal, Quebec
1949-09 — Requested service medals be sent to new address — 244 Bond Street North, Hamilton, Ontario"
2000-05-25 -- Died
Notes
Prior Non-Permanent Active Militia service with the 6th Duke of Connaught's Royal Canadian Hussars from July 1940. During July-September 1944 he received prolonged treatment for chronic ulcers of the left leg, following earlier abrasions sustained when he slipped while jumping onto the back of a moving truck. A demobilization Medical Board opened on 8 November 1945 and was finalized on 6 December 1945; it recorded no current complaint and no treatment indicated.
Completed Grade 11 at Huntingdon Academy in 1928
Worked on Family farm until 1940
1940-1941 Machine operator, steel Co of Canada, Montreal, Quebec.
Duke of Connaught Royal Canadian Hussars Headquarters Squdron VI Hussars, V Canadian Armoured Division;
youngest son of Mr. Joseph Anderson and the late Mrs. Anderson, Gore, Que.
Enlisted in non-permanent, July 1st, 1940.
Enlisted for active service, May 2nd, 1941
Now at Camp Borden, Ont.
Name Willis Joseph Anderson Birth Date 7 Aug 1911 Death Date 27 May 2000 Gore Cemetery
Request confirmation number EA2026_0173062
photo on ancestry link
Additional Service Notes
Served in Canada and overseas with the Canadian Armoured Corps. Overseas service included the United Kingdom, Italy and Northwest Europe. He assumed the rank of Lance Corporal effective 2 February 1943 and received substantive appointment effective 2 May 1943. He reverted to Trooper on 7 July 1944 when struck off strength to the X-3 List. He was discharged at Montreal on 7 December 1945 on demobilization.
54 months in service
48 months in UK, Italy, North western Europe
Employed as a driver he was entrusted with driving high ranking officers (Brigadier Steiner) into the battle zones.
Served in (page 156)
Canada
1-May-41 to 9 Oct 41
21 Oct 45 to 7 Dec 45
UK
10 Oct 41 to 26 oct 43
17 Sept 45 to 20 Oct 45
Italy
27 Oct 43 to 10 March 45
Europe
19 March 45 to 16 Sept 45
Additional Next of Kin Notes
Single at enlistment. His father, Joseph Anderson of R.R. 1, Huntingdon, Quebec, was initially named as next of kin; the attestation was later marked 'see change.' His brother Carl Anderson of Huntingdon, Quebec subsequently became next of kin and received a $20 monthly pay assignment effective 1 October 1941. His mother was recorded as deceased.
Version: 6 Last modified: 2026-09-19 18:52:10
by: marc
