Black Watch friends:
Regret to report the passing of Sigurds (Sig) Anderson on Friday 10 September 2021 in Ottawa.
Sig enrolled in the Canadian Army (Regular) in 1955 under the ROTP and he completed his university training at McMaster in Hamilton, Ontario. On graduation in 1958, he was posted to Second Battalion, The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada which has just relocated from Camp Aldershot, NS to Camp Gagetown NB. He remained with 2RHC until 1961 when he was posted to our First Battalion in Germany as a member of the 2RHC Advance Party with specific responsibilities to find civilian accommodations for the 2RHC families who would not be allocated a PMQ when they arrived in Germany. When 2RHC arrived in Germany in 1962, Sig was posted from 1RHC back to 2RHC. Over the next three years he held a number of appointments within 2RHC/Fort St. Louis including Sports Officer, Reconnaissance Platoon commander, Assistant Adjutant and Adjutant.
On return to Canada in 1965, Sig was posted to the Royal Canadian School of Infantry in Camp Borden where he was employed as the School Adjutant until he was sent to Canadian Forces Staff College (Toronto) in 1966. On completion of Staff College in 1967, he returned to our Second Battalion in CFB Gagetown as a company commander. Two years later he was posted to the Canadian Contingent in Cyprus (CANCONCYP) where he was shortly after joined by 2RHC for its second and final peacekeeping tour on that Mediterranean island.
In 1970, Sig was posted to Ottawa for two years with the Chief of Personnel Branch and two years later was promoted and reassigned to Regular Support Staff Atlantic in Halifax – a tour which lasted four years. In January 1976 he was posted to the UN Military Observer Group in India – Pakistan. One year later he was posted back to NDHQ Ottawa for three years. In 1980 he was posted to Australia as the Canadian Army Attaché where he remained until his retirement from the CAF in 1983.
Early in his retirement, Sig was employed as a public servant in a section in NDHQ lead by the late Peter Hall-Humpherson and sharing duties with the late Bob (R.I.) Burns – all of whom had served together in 2RHC in Germany.
A memorial service for Sig will be held at Beechwood Cemetery of Friday, 24 September at 1000 hrs followed by interment.
PLEASE NOTE that COVID restrictions require that you REGISTER to participate in the services at the website below.
beechwoodottawa.ca/en/services/sigurds-anderson
Sigurds Anderson
NOVEMBER 20, 1932 SEPTEMBER 10, 2021
Peacefully and with great dignity and courage at home, with family at his side on September 10, 2021, in his 89th year, following a long battle with Multiple System Atrophy. Survived by his loving wife Daila, daughter Inta (Steven), daughter-in-law Sandra and grandchildren Ella, Benjamin, Anna and Oskar, all of whom loved him dearly and whom he dearly loved. Predeceased by son Peter and sisters Lilian and Rovena. Sincere thanks to Dr. S. Ramachandran for her compassionate care, and to all the nurses and PSWs for their professional support. Born in Latvia in 1932, Sig arrived in Canada in 1949. He served Canada with integrity across international borders as an officer in the 2nd Battalion of The Black Watch, in Germany, as a peacekeeper in Cyprus and India, and as military attaché in Australia. He volunteered for CESO facilitating Latvia’s entry into NATO. Active in the Latvian Church, he sang in choral groups Viesturs and Junda.
R. I. P.
NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT