Scottish Victoria Cross Awards Corporal William Anderson, VC
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Scottish Victoria Cross Awards Corporal William Anderson, VC, 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, was born at Dallas, Elgin on 28 December 1882. He was the second son of Alexander Anderson, a Labourer, and Isabella (Bella) Anderson, of 79 North Road, Forres, where he was educated at Forres Academy. His siblings were James, Margaret and Alexander. After working as a Conductor at Glasgow Tramways Depot, he moved to London then enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment on 20 September 1905, serving in India, Egypt and South Africa. His brother, James, served in the same regiment. He was discharged to the Reserve in 1912 and worked at Elder Hospital, Govan, saving money so that he and his fiancee could emigrate to South Africa. However, before they could leave war broke out and he was called up as a reservist. He was mobilised and sent to his old battalion in 1914, where he was known as 'Jock'. Now a Corporal, on 5 October 1914, he embarked for Flanders with the four Companies of the 2nd Battalion. Two weeks later they were taking part in the First Battle of Ypres and involved in some of the fiercest fighting. The regiment was being supplied with 96,000 rounds of ammunition each night. By the end of this engagement Corporal Anderson was in charge of a bombing unit. The aim of a bombing unit was to gain access to an enemy trench, from which they would throw grenades round a corner, immediately following up the explosion with an attack with bayoneting, Captain Rollo and Corporal Anderson bludgeoning, shooting, bombing or taking resting at Fleurbaix in 1914. prisoners. © and researched by Alistair McEwen 2015 with additional research by Morag Cross. These were clearly high risk operations with high mortality rates and hence required men of steel. He fought at Estaires in early 1915. On 10 March 1915 the allies bombarded the German defences at Neuve Chapelle, initial success in taking some of the enemy trenches soon turning to bloody stalemate, with fierce infantry attacks by each side. The Yorkshires were, in places, only 30 yards apart from the Germans, hence the situation was ripe for William Anderson’s skills. Early on the morning of 12 March there was a German counter attack on the captured trenches. Although the main attack was beaten off two companies of a sister regiment were overpowered. Anderson mustered his team of bombers and set about the invaders. He was seen on the trench parapet, totally fearless of bursting shells and firing down on the enemy below and throwing bombs. Having used up his own supply, as well as returning German stick bombs which he threw back before the five second time fuse operated, he saw that the Germans had started to give way. Anderson, unstoppable, returned to his wounded companions and took their bombs, which he also used to good effect. "Explosions, shouts and screams were heard for some time. The next time the wounded bombers saw the Corporal was when he herded 60 German prisoners back to 'D' Company position. He had virtually cleared the enemy strong point single handed." Heavy fighting continued and later that day Anderson led yet another bombing attack. From this he did not return, was never seen again and has no known grave. For his actions Corporal William Anderson was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. The citation in the London Gazette of 22 May 1915 read: "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at Neuve Chapelle on March 12, 1915, when he led three men with bombs against a large party of the enemy who had entered our trenches, and by his prompt and determined action saved what might otherwise have become a serious situation. Corporal Anderson first threw his own bombs, then those in possession of his three men (who had been wounded) amongst the Germans; after which he opened rapid fire upon them with great effect, notwithstanding that he was at the time quite alone." William’s younger brother, Alexander, was also to appear in the London Gazette, when in 1917 his gallantry as a Lance Corporal in Mesopotamia saw him mentioned in Dispatches. And it was Alexander who was presented with his late brother’s Victoria Cross on 19 May 1920 in the banqueting hall of Edinburgh Castle by Lieutenant General Sir Francis Davies. In 1969 Alexander Anderson donated William’s VC and other medals to the Green Howards Museum in Richmond, Yorkshire. © and researched by Alistair McEwen 2015 with additional research by Morag Cross. William Anderson’s name appears on Le Touret 'Memorial to the Missing' at Pas-de- Calais, some four miles to the north east of Bethune in France. It is carved with those of 234 other members of the Yorkshire Regiment who have no known graves. It was also inscribed on the Forres War Memorial but was not included on the Dallas War Memorial. Lieutenant Colonel William Herbert (Bertie) Anderson, VC, 12th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (HLI), born at Glasgow on 29 December 1881, was the eldest son of William James Anderson, CBE, a Stockbroker and Chartered Accountant, and Nora Campbell Anderson, of Lansdowne Crescent, Glasgow, and Strathairly, Largo, Fife. He attended Glasgow Academy and Fettes College and was a member of the 1st Lanark Rifle Volunteers from 1900 to 1908. He joined the accountancy firm founded by his grandfather, Kerr Anderson and MacLeod in West George Street, and in 1907, passed his professional exams. The following year, he became a partner in the business, and also married Gertrude Gilmour, of Woodbank, Balloch, Dunbartonshire, moving to Tighcruachan, Cardross, where they had two sons. In September 1914, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce (which included many prominent local businessmen) raised a battalion from technical colleges, and men from various trades and professions within Glasgow. Captain W H Anderson, a volunteer, originally with 'C' Company, was afterwards promoted to major, as second in command of several other battalions, and reached France in 1916. He was briefly 'invalided home' from France in March 1917, when he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and returned to France to command the 12th HLI. He died on 25 March 1918, age 36, and was awarded the VC for his actions on that date at Bois Favieres, near Maricourt, France, and is buried in Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt. His VC is on display at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery in the Imperial War Museum. His citation read: "For most conspicuous bravery, determination, and gallant leading of his command. The enemy attacked on the right of the battalion frontage and succeeded in penetrating the wood held by our men. Owing to successive lines of the enemy following on closely there was the greatest danger that the flank of the whole position would be turned. © and researched by Alistair McEwen 2015 with additional research by Morag Cross. "Grasping the seriousness of the situation, Colonel Anderson made his way across the open in full view of the enemy now holding the wood on the right, and after much effort succeeded in gathering the remainder of the two right companies. He personally led the counter-attack and drove the enemy from the wood, capturing twelve machine guns and seventy prisoners, and restoring the original line. His conduct in leading the charge was quite fearless and his most splendid example was the means of rallying and inspiring the men during the most critical hour. Later on the same day, in another position, the enemy had penetrated to within three hundred yards of the village and were holding a timber yard in force. Colonel Anderson reorganised his men after they had been driven in and brought them forward to a position of readiness for a counterattack. He led the attack in person and throughout showed the utmost disregard for his own safety. The counter-attack drove the enemy from his position, but resulted in this very gallant officer losing his life. He died fighting within the enemy's lines, setting a magnificent example to all who were privileged to serve under him." The War Diary of the 12th Battalion tells the story: March 1918 21st Lt Col W H Anderson returned & took over command of Bn. Camp was shelled all day & night by enemy 8” long range gun… [On 23rd the Battalion travelled to Bray Sur Somme] 24th Bray, Bois Faviere near Maricourt… strongly attacked by enemy cavalry and infantry… [we were] forced to withdraw with severe losses after sharp hand-to-hand. 25th At 8am enemy attacked… Lt Col Anderson immediately led counter-attack – capturing 70 prisoners & 12 MGs [machine guns]. At 11.30am the whole Divl front was strongly attacked by the enemy in overwhelming numbers… A Coy… accounted for hundreds of the enemy. The battalion retired to the line of the Bois Maricourt… but owing to the great number of men… who had become detached, it was divided into 3 parties – one under Lt Col Anderson… and counter attacked at 4.30pm… [this] was very successful and cleared the enemy several thousand yards east of Maricourt & all gains held. Lt Col Anderson & 3 Coy Commanders were killed this day… 26th Major Dixon ... gallantly fought the enemy all the next day back to Morlancourt…. In July 1918, the Highland Light Infantry Chronicle recorded, "Great sympathy is felt… with his father and mother, their four sons, all of whom held commissions (three in the HLI) having been killed in the present war. " Anderson’s fellow officers testified to their high regard for him. "If you could have seen Colonel Anderson… counterattacking thousands of Germans with a mere handful of men, you would believe in the British Army for all time.