Thursday March 12th 2026
Newly appointed standard bearer the Selkirk Colonial Society, Frances Clementine Anderson
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
History has been made after a woman from San Francisco was appointed standard bearer of a Borders expats organisation – for the first time in over a century.
The Selkirk Colonial Society was founded in Canada back in 1910 by emigrants from Selkirk, with the aim of maintaining ties with their hometown.
The organisation has gone on to form an integral part of the annual Selkirk Common Riding, which commemorates the Battle of Flodden.
The society preserves traditions and annually appoints a Colonial Standard Bearer to “cast” a “Golden Banner” in the Market Place.
Over the last century that honour has gone to a man – now that has changed.
The society has announced an historic appointment for 2026, selecting Frances Clementine Anderson of San Francisco, USA, as its first female Colonial Standard Bearer.
Frances is the great-great granddaughter of Robert Anderson, known locally as “Honolulu Bob,” who was born in Selkirk in 1875, and was one of the founding members of the Selkirk Colonial Society.
Continuing the family connection, Frances’s brother, Dashiell, will buss the society flag for his sister on June 10, 2026.
Frances herself is no stranger to the Selkirk Common Riding with her family steeped in its traditions.
She first attended in 2013 to support her father, Robert Mailer Anderson, who served as Colonial Standard Bearer that year. That occasion marked the 100th anniversary of her great-great grandfather Robert Anderson’s term as Colonial Standard Bearer.
Born and raised in San Francisco, Frances is currently working as a Race Support Engineer Intern with Hendrick Motorsports, one of NASCAR’s most successful teams.
She will be returning to Columbia University in New York City next year, to complete her degree in Mechanical Engineering.
A spokesperson for Selkirk Colonial Society said: “We extend our very best wishes to both Frances and Dashiell for their big year ahead.”
The 2025 Colonial Standard Bearer was Brenton Andrew Barbian of North Carolina, USA.
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