Mrs. Mary Anderson from Selkirk, Manitoba, was the 1971 National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother. During the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa on November 11, 1971, she laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who have lost a child in military service to Canada.

On December 14, 1943, her son, Private Vernon Anderson, was killed while serving in Italy with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.

On July 21, 1944, a second son, Private John George Anderson, was killed while on duty with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada in France.

Mrs. Anderson was born in 1900 and was Metis. She was 71 years old when she was named National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother.