Parents

Archibald’s father was David Elder Anderson, born in Forfar, Tayside, East Scotland, on 25 May 1860, son of James and Mary Anderson. He was educated at Forfar Academy. He became a cotton merchant and was later described as a manufacturer’s agent and merchant. He was a warden at Christ Church from 1918 to 1919. He died on 20 July 1931 at 28 Palatine Rd, Withington, although his address was given as 22 Moorfield Rd, West Didsbury. He left £2741 19s 8d.

Frances Gertrude Cussans was born about 1865 in St Pancras, London. She and David married in 1889 and the marriage was registered in St Pancras. She died in 1948. They had 4 children, Dorothy Blanche, an art student specialising in metal and jewellery, Archibald, David Lindsay who died at around 8 or 9 years in 1904, and Francis Gerald, born around 1899. Dorothy was married at Christ Church in October 1923.

In 1901 the family lived at Mona House, Ballaugh, Isle of Man, with 3 servants. By 1911 they were at Restenneth, West Didsbury with a governess and 2 servants. Restenneth is variously said to be in The Beeches and Stanton Avenue.

Archibald

Archibald was born on 14 March 1893 and baptised at Christ Church on 26 April 1893. Like his father he was educated at Forfar Academy. At the age of 18 he was an assistant accountant in insurance. He joined the Cheshire Regiment, serving in the 3rd Battalion attached to the 11th Battalion. He became a second lieutenant. He was killed in action on 27 August 1916, aged 23, on the Somme. He is buried at the Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood, Somme, reference I. D. 15. At the time of his death his parents lived at White Hall, Wheelock Heath, Sandbach.

His parents presented memorials to Forfar Academy and to Christ Church. The Dundee Courier of 20 May 1919 describes the memorial in Forfar as a wall cabinet of teak and copper made from part of the training ship HMS Britannia. The memorial at Christ Church closely fits this description.

Restenneth

Whilst researching A J S Anderson Jean was puzzled by his address which read “Restennell, West Didsbury”. What or where was Restennell? Searching revealed several references to a priory in Forfar called Restenneth. On re-examining the copy of the hand written page from the census document there had been a transcription error and the original hand written entry said “Restenneth”. Perhaps the name was chosen to remind Archibald’s father of his roots.

Restenneth Priory was founded in 1153 and was a monastic house of Augustinian Canons linked to Jedburgh Abbey. There was a pictish church on the site built in 710 for the King. The tower is all that remains of the priory.