I, That's Me is the memoir of Major
Peter Anderson, DSO & Bar of the 3rd Battalion (Toronto
Regiment), Canadian Expeditionary Force. It is Anderson's
unique story of being the first officer-escaper of the Great
War (along with many other tales).
An original officer in the 9th Battalion from Edmonton,
the Danish-born Anderson was one of the original members
of the First Canadian Contingent in 1914. His memoir details
the confusion of their arrival at Valcartier and follows
the men across to England, and finally to the battlefields
of France and Flanders.
It is near Ypres in 1915 that Anderson sees his first action.
His description of the fighting in April 1915 is exceptional.
During the gas attack he lead his men again superior odds
fighting outside of the village of St. Julien. After heavy
fighting the Canadians were overwhelmed and Major Anderson
became one of the 1,400 Canadians captured in the battle.
Imprisoned in Germany Anderson immediately started to plan
his amazing escape with thoroughness and genius. He finally
makes his break in October 1915, and within weeks he is
back in England, and awarded the DSO.