By Dave Lord

WINTER SUN broke through the clouds as the last survivor of the 1914 Christmas truce began his final journey yesterday.

First world war veteran Alfred Anderson died aged 109 earlier this week and mourners packed Alyth Parish Church to pay their tributes.

Among those present were Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin, Colonel of The Black Watch, and David Bowes-Lyon, cousin of the late Queen Mother.

The French Consul-General Pierre-Antoine Berniare, whose predecessor awarded Mr Anderson the Legion d’Honneur in 1998, also came to pay his respects.

Born in Dundee, Alfred Anderson lived in three centuries, survived two world wars, witnessed the reign of six monarchs and was governed by no less than 26 prime ministers.

The Reverend Neil Gardner conducted yesterday’s funeral service and paid touching tribute to a close friend.

“Alfred Anderson was held in the most enormous respect and affection, not just in the local community but all over Britain and even around the world,” he said.

“The day he began his final battle I was leaving his room when somebody said, ‘Let’s leave the kids with their dad for a while.’

“That the kids are all in their 70s or early 80s was immaterial,” Mr Gardner continued.

“To them he was still their dad and to him they were still his children.”

Sir Irwin provided a reading and hymns included The King of Love my Shepherd is.

Mr Gardner said Mr Anderson—Scotland’s oldest man—was an inspiration to those who knew him, and a representative of a bygone age.

He remarked, “He was the last survivor anywhere of the famous Western Front Christmas truce in 1914 and his death represents the end of an era. His life was truly extraordinary.”

Mr Anderson lived independently until recently and remained lucid until the end. He had reached celebrity status due to his great age and wisdom, coupled with his remarkable war experiences.

He was posted to Le Havre where he faced a constant barrage of shells and bullets.

He fought at the Battle of Loos and for a time served as batman to the late Queen Mother’s brother, Captain Fergus Bowes-Lyon. In later life he formed a close friendship with Prince Charles.

Invalided out of the army in 1916, Mr Anderson took over his father’s Newtyle joinery business.

He founded the British Legion in the village and trained the local football team. He was also involved with the Scouts.

Mr Anderson married Susanna Iddison in 1917 and they had five children.

During the funeral service Professor John MacKenzie, a close friend and biographer, spoke of the veteran’s courage and strength.

“To hear Alfred exercising his wonderfully clear memory, reminiscing about the return of Boer War troops over 100 years ago, life in Newtyle and Strathmore in Edwardian times ... and his terrifying time in France in the first world war was truly inspirational,” he said.

“However, for me Alfred’s courage was never greater than in recent years.

“A widower since 1979, he missed his dear wife and mother of his children until his last days.

“The death of his daughter Betty was yet another penalty of longevity and he felt it keenly.”

Mr MacKenzie said he—in common with many, many others in yesterday’s congregation—would always retain “fond memories” of Mr Anderson.

He also remembered the former Black Watch soldier’s sense of humour, which accompanied him right to the end.

“Alfred brought us all together and he performed great and noble service for his country, his generation, his regiment, his locality and his family,” Mr MacKenzie added.

A lone bagpiper played The Black Watch’s regimental slow march, The Garb of Old Gaul, as pallbearers carried the coffin into the hearse before Mr Anderson began his final journey to the crematorium.

Several Black Watch veterans saluted as the hearse passed mourners filling the street outside Alyth Parish Church.

The affection in which Alyth held Mr Anderson was clear earlier this year when he was immortalised in a bust at the local library.

The bust will eventually be displayed at The Black Watch museum in Perth, further strengthening the bond between Mr Anderson and the regiment he served with such honour.