Anderson was
commissioned into the
5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards in 1929. He served in the
Second World War in France, the Middle East and Italy. Anderson was also the first
Colonel Commandant of
Ulster Defence Regiment from 1969 to 1979. A purpose-built operations centre for the UDR was built at
Ballykinler army base and named in honour of the general who was known as "The father of the UDR". From 1962 to 1967 Anderson was Colonel of the
5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. ==Public service==