John Anderson enlisted in the Grenadier Guards in November 1954 and went to the Guards Depot at Caterham Barracks. After training he was posted to 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards in Germany.

He volunteered for airborne forces,  and was posted to No 1 (Guards) Independent Parachute Company after completing P Company and parachute training,

Gdsmn Anderson was deployed to Cyprus and Suez while serving with Guards Para Coy.

He was de-mobbed in November 1957, shortly after the Guards Para Coy had returned to England.