Bapaume bell

  • Height  171 mm
  • Width  203 mm
  • Weight  5.5 kg
  • Note  D
Bell Inscription

Bapaume
In Memory of James Brian Anderson.
Given by his Aunt, Anne Anderson.

James Brian Anderson was born in 1894, the youngest son of Allan and Mary Anderson. He was working as a grocer for his father – a merchant with a business on Kent Terrace in Wellington – when he enlisted with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in December 1915.

In late May 1916 James arrived in France where he joined the New Zealand Rifle Brigade on the Western Front. On 8 July he was transferred into the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion where he remained until October 1917. Shortly after the successful Allied capture of Messines, while still with the Pioneer Battalion, he was wounded in action. He was evacuated to England for treatment and eventual recovery and did not return to France until November.

Upon returning to the front lines, James was posted for a short time to the Wellington Infantry Regiment before transferring into the 4th Battalion of the 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade in February 1918. His discipline suffered during this period and he was twice punished for absenteeism between November and March. He was again wounded in action on 21 March, the day the Germans launched their Spring Offensive, but he was back in the lines with his brigade by 13 May.

Following the failure of the German forces to achieve a breakthrough during their spring and summer offensives, the Allies began to push back. In late August 1918, the New Zealand Division took part in a costly attempt to surround the German-held town of Bapaume in northern France. On 26 August, after two days’ fighting, the New Zealand Rifle Brigade entered the fray. They were initially successful in gaining ground but a strong counter-attack from the Germans forced the riflemen to retreat. The day’s action cost the brigade 300 casualties. James was among those killed in action. Two more days of fighting followed before the Germans abandoned Bapaume on the night of 29 August.

James is buried at Vaulx Hill Cemetery in northern France. His aunt, Anne Anderson, gave the 'Bapaume' bell in his memory. The bell name recalls the battle in which he died.

Further information:

Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph record – James Anderson
Commonwealth War Graves Commission record – James Anderson  

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