Vandere was born to a poor farm family outside of Edoras in T.A 2993. During the First Battle of the Isen, Vandere stood with Grimbold in command of the garrison on the west bank. They were dismayed when they saw axe-men driving Théodred's men from the shores of the eyot, and at once Grimbold, took Vandere and his men and charged the eyot. So fierce was their onset that they clove their way through the rear of the attackers, till with Vandere and his dear friend, Eothred, he reached Théodred standing alone on the knoll. But they were too late. Grimbold slew the attackers and the trio stood over the body of Théodred, thinking him dead. During the Second Battle of the Isen he stood with the dismounted riders in the shield wall forged by Elfhelm, and was the last to commit to retreat, unable to hold the line Uruk-Hai. Vandere was sent north to seek aid against the Uruks of Isengard from the Rangers of the North, as well as the other free peoples.