Lieutenant Dermod G Anderson

Dermod Green Anderson was born in South Africa, the son of John and Mary Anderson.

In the 1930’s he left for England to study architecture. In 1940, whilst working as an assistant to Sir Edward Lutyens (the Imperial War Commission’s lead architect) and shortly after his marriage to his wife Caroline Anderson, he was commissioned into the Gloucester Regiment, and then volunteered for airborne forces.

Lieutenant Anderson successfully completed Glider Pilot training and was posted to B Squadron, 4 Flight, The Glider Pilot Regiment, and took part in the Normandy operations. On the 18 September 1944 he flew into Wolfheze as part of Operation Market Garden (Arnhem).

He and his passengers moved to Oosterbeek where they took up positions near the old church. Here he was killed on 25 September 1944 by a German mortar bomb which landed close to his trench. In a letter to Dermod's wife, his commanding officer praised him for his bravery. He had managed to bring in wounded in a jeep under heavy enemy fire. It has now become clear that Dermod was buried in his slit trench at the time. He was reported missing after the battle and his name was recorded on the Grosbeek memorial. His remains were found during a field survey in the area of the old church, in order to locate lost field graves - with special permission from the local council. Lieutenant Dermod Anderson was identified through the DNA of his second cousin Julian. 

Lt Andersons funeral was held Wednesday 18th September 2024 at Arnhem-Oosterbeek CWG Cemetery, Oosterbeek.