Janet Lambie Anderson

Janet Lambie Anderson was born on January 7, 1917, at 1 Baronflat Street in Rutherglen, Lanark, Glasgow, Scotland. She was the daughter of Elizabeth Durie Athya and Alexander Anderson, and one of six siblings: Jemima Athya Anderson, Helen “Nellie” Hamilton Anderson, Alexander Athya Anderson, James Athya Anderson, Mary Brown Anderson, and Elizabeth Athya Anderson, all born between 1905 and 1919. Janet is my husband’s first cousin once removed, with their nearest common relatives being James Wylie Athya and Jemima Durie, his great grandparents.

1917 birth register

At the time of Janet’s birth, her father was employed as a blacksmith journeyman, signifying his expertise in the craft. The Anderson family continued living at their home on Baronflat Street in 1921. The census record indicates that their house consisted of two rooms and housed nine people, which corresponds with my research. Janet’s father continued working as a blacksmith, specifically as a tube maker at Stewarts and Lloyds, a steel and iron tube manufacturer in Glasgow. Janet’s oldest sister, Jemina (enumerated as Minnie), worked as a carpet weaver at Templeton’s Weaving Factory. Janet and her other siblings were listed as scholars.

1921 Scotland census

Tragically, Janet’s brother James, who worked as a chauffeur, passed away on July 19, 1939, in the district of Provan in Glasgow due to acute miliary tuberculosis (TB), a severe form of TB where the infection spreads throughout the body via the bloodstream.

Janet married Edward Rogan Muir, the son of Walter Chapman Muir and Elizabeth Rogan, on October 31, 1939, in the district of Blythswood, Glasgow, Scotland. At the time, Janet, aged 22, was a spinster employed as a laundry maid, while Edward, aged 26, was a Corporal in the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) working as an engineer’s clerk. Edward lived in Edinburgh, while Janet resided on Cambuslang Road in Rutherglen.

1939 marriage register

The RASC was responsible for land, coastal, and air transport, as well as supply and administration duties. It played a crucial role in keeping the British Army supplied with provisions, equipment, and other necessities during the war. Edward was discharged from the RASC on Christmas Eve 1945 at the rank of Warrant Officer 1st Class.

1995 application for medals

At some point, Janet and Edward moved to Brighton, East Sussex, England. The first record of them there is in the 1948 electoral registers, where they are listed as living at 38 Ringmer Road. It is possible that they moved to Brighton that year, although this cannot be confirmed. By 1949, they had relocated to 3 Rock Grove in Brighton, with Janet recorded as Janet A. Muir that year, whereas she had been recorded as Janet L. Muir in all other years. By 1950, they had moved again, this time to 36 Riley Road, but they only stayed there for a year. From 1951 to 1954, their residence was at 61 Warren Road. Finally, they moved to 5 Bromley Road in 1955, where they stayed until Janet’s death in 1958 at the age of 41.

At this point, Janet’s online paper trail goes dark. The only record I was able to locate for her death was an entry in the England and Wales, Civil Registration Death Index. I have found no record of her burial, and there is no evidence to suggest that she had any children.

References

• Alex Anderson, Census 654/41/44, National Records of Scotland, 1921.
• Edward Rogan Muir, UK, British Army World War II Medal Cards, 1939–1945.
• Gurarie, Mark, What Is Miliary Tuberculosis?, Verywell Health, June 1, 2023; https://www.verywellhealth.com/miliary-tuberculosis-6499341. 
• James Athya Anderson, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/4 503, National Records of Scotland, 1939.
• Janet L. Muir, Electoral Register, Brighton (1948–1958), East Sussex, England, Electoral Registers, 1705–1963.
• Janet L. Muir, England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916–2007.
• Janet Lambie Anderson, Statutory Registers Births 654/44, National Records of Scotland, 1917.
• Janet Lambie Anderson, Statutory Registers Marriages 644/8 3830, National Records of Scotland, 1939.
• Stewarts and Lloyds’s Year, The Guardian, London, England, March 12, 1921.