Cemetery: Peronne Road Cemetery Maricourt

Country: France

Area: Somme

Rank: Lieutenant Colonel

Force: Army

Official Number:

Unit: 12th Bn. Highland Light Infantry.

Country of Service: British

Details: V C 25th March 1918. Age 36. Son of W. J. Anderson C.B.E. of Strathairly Largo Fife husband of Gertrude Campbell Anderson of 23 Abingdon Court Kensington London. II. G. 36. An extract from the London Gazette dated 30th April, 1918, records the following:-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. 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."

Photograph by Martin Harvey