Pte 49328 Tempest Anderson

• Age: 20
• From: Hyde, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Wednesday 1st August 1917
• Commemorated at: Mendinghem B C Proven
  Panel Ref: III.C.16

Tempest was born in the June quarter of 1897 at Hyde, Cheshire the son of James Anderson and his wife Lizzie (nee Moorhouse) who married in Stockport in the March quarter of 1889. James was born in Durham and his employment was as an earthenware baker/hawker. Lizzie was born in Hyde. They had five children, four boys and one girl. Tempest was the fouth of their five children.

The 1901 Census shows Tempest aged 4 living at Lawton Road, Wesley Street, Alsager with his parents and four siblings. His father, James, is a 33 year old baker born in Norton, Durham in 1868, whilst his mother, Lizzie is 31 years of age and was born in Hyde, Cheshire. His siblings are shown as; Hannah aged 11, George aged 10, William H. aged 6 and James aged 10 months old. THe family employ a servant Annie Asbury. 

Tempest was baptised on 14th June 1905 at Christ Church, Crewe.  

The 1911 Census shows his father is away from home travelling, his mother Lizzie is head of the household at 193 Stockport Road, Denton, Manchester. She states that she has been married for 22 years and has had five children, of whom one has died. Tempest is now aged 14 and is working as a blockers labourer in a hat manufacturers, he lives with his three surviving siblings who are listed as; Hannah aged 21 and employed as a shaver, William Hague is a 16 year old body maker, and James is a 10 year old scholar. His elder brother George had died in 1904 aged 13

He was serving with the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 49328 when he died of wounds on 01st August 1917 aged 20. The wounds were received as a result of the 18th Battalion attack upon Pilckem Ridge during the opening phase of the 3rd Battle of Ypres, more commonly referred to as Passchendaele.

31st July 1917 The Third Battle of Ypres i.e. The Battle of Pilkem Ridge
The 30th Division occupied Trenches just inside the western edges of Sanctuary Wood to Observatory Ridge. Ten Battalions of the King's including the 18th were involved in this Battle


"The 18th shortly before zero hour began to move forward in rear of the 2nd Wilts. In Sanctuary Wood considerable confusion occurred when various troops of 2nd Wilts, 18th & 19th  Manchesters and 2nd Royal Scot Fusiliers all met up, the King's maintained direction and continued their advance to the west of Stirling Castle, towards Surbiton Villas in the area of the 90th Brigade. Capt Heywood of the 18th was wounded by German Machine Gun fire and the advance came to a standstill" 

Tempest Anderson was one of those men wounded by this engagement and died the next day of his wounds on 01st August  1917.

Tempest now rests at Mendinghem British Cemetery in Belgium.

Mendinghem, like Dozinghem and Bandaghem, were the popular names given by the troops to groups of casualty clearing stations posted to this area during the First World War. In July 1916, the 46th (1st/1st Wessex) Casualty Clearing Station was opened at Proven and this site was chosen for its cemetery. The first burials took place in August 1916. In July 1917, four further clearing stations arrived at Proven in readiness for the forthcoming Allied offensive on this front and three of them, the 46th, 12th and 64th, stayed until 1918. From May to July 1918, while the German offensive was at its height, field ambulances were posted at Proven. The cemetery was closed (except for one later burial) in September 1918. There are now 2,391 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in this cemetery and 52 German war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

Soldiers Effects state that he died at 46 Casualty Clearing Station at Proven. 

His soldier's pay of 14 Shillings was sent to his father James on 15th January 1918.

A War Gratuity of £3:10s was also sent to his father James on 15th October 1919.

We currently have no further information on Tempest Anderson, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.