A remarkable tale will come full circle this summer when American writer Robert Mailer Anderson journeys to Selkirk.
The San Franciscan will travel thousands of miles to follow in the footsteps of his great-grandfather and carry the standard of Selkirk Colonial Society at the town’s common riding in front of family, friends, fellow exiles and thousands of Souters.
Mr Mailer Anderson was unanimously appointed at a recent meeting of the town’s Colonial Society.
A seventh-generation Californian, he is the great-grandson of Robert Anderson, otherwise known as Honolulu Bob, the Colonial Society Standard Bearer in 1913.
The newly-appointed incumbent is the best-selling author of Boonville, as well as a contributor to major US publications, and a film and theatre producer.
During last year’s US election, Mr Mailer Anderson was a member of the National Finance Committee, and hosted President Barack Obama at a dinner at his home.
Married to Nicola Miner – daughter of Oracle Corporation co-founder Bob Miner – the couple have four children and Mrs Mailer Anderson will be her husband’s lady busser in June, when they will be accompanied by their children, uncles, aunts and cousins.