Charles Groves Wright Anderson
Encyclopedia
Charles Groves Wright Anderson VC
, MC
(12 February 1897 – 11 November 1988) was a South Africa
n-born, Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross
, a member of the Australian House of Representatives
, and a farmer.
, South Africa
, Anderson was educated in Nairobi
, Kenya
and Brendon College, England
. On 13 October 1916, Anderson was commissioned as a lieutenant in the King's African Rifles
. He fought with that regiment's 3rd Battalion in the East African campaign
against German colonial forces
, such as Askari
soldiers. Anderson was awarded the Military Cross
for his service in this campaign.
Following the war, Anderson lived the life of a gentleman farmer in Kenya, marrying Edith Tout, an Australian in February 1931. Three years later the couple moved to Australia where they purchased a grazing property near Young
, New South Wales
. He joined the Citizens Military Forces
in March 1939 and following the outbreak of the Second World War, Anderson joined the Second Australian Imperial Force
.
, deployed to Malaya
in 1941.
During the period of 18–22 January 1942 in the Battle of Muar
near the Muar River
in British Malaya
, the forty four year-old Anderson was in command of a small force which destroyed ten enemy tanks. When they were later cut off, Anderson led his force through fifteen miles (24 km) of enemy-occupied territory, being attacked by air and ground forces all the way. They were again surrounded and suffered heavy casualties; although the detachment attempted to fight its way through another eight miles (13 km) of enemy-occupied territory, this proved impossible, and Anderson had to destroy his equipment and attempted to work his way around the enemy. However he insisted on protecting the wounded from his unit and refused to leave them. For these actions, Anderson was awarded the highest and most prestigious decoration for gallantry in the face of the enemy that could be awarded to British Commonwealth
forces.
His V.C citation, as listed in the London gazette, 13 February 1942, states: for setting a magnificent example of brave leadership, determination and outstanding courage. He not ony showed fighting qualities of very high order but throughout exposed himself to danger without any regard for his own personal safety
Anderson was captured and became a prisoner of war
for three years (1942–1945). He was the chief staff officer under Brigadier Arthur Varley of the 22nd Brigade in A Force - the first contingent of voluntary POWs at Changi POW camp
to avail themselves of a Japanese "offer" to move to a new location where they were told there would be abundant food and a healthy climate. In reality the group of 3,000 were shipped to Burma and were used as slave labour to build the 415 km railway link between Nong Pladuk in Thailand and Thanbyuzayat in Burma.
His appointment in the army was terminated on 21 December 1945 and he returned to his property in New South Wales.
, winning the Division of Hume
as a representative of the Country Party
with an 18.8% swing. He lost his House of Representatives
seat in the 1951 federal election
, unsuccessfully stood for Hume at the 1954 election
before regaining the seat in 1955
, and remaining in parliament until his defeat at the 1961 election
. While in parliament Anderson served as a member of the Joint Committee on the Australian Capital Territory
.
Anderson owned farming properties around Young, New South Wales
, and following his retirement from politics in 1961, moved permanently to Red Hill
in Canberra, where he died in 1988.
There is a memorial stone and plaque for Anderson at Norwood Crematorium, Australian Capital Territory
. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial
, Canberra
, Australia.
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Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, MC
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(12 February 1897 – 11 November 1988) was a South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n-born, Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, a member of the Australian House of Representatives
Australian House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia; it is the lower house; the upper house is the Senate. Members of Parliament serve for terms of approximately three years....
, and a farmer.
Early life
Born of Scottish parents in Cape TownCape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Anderson was educated in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
and Brendon College, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. On 13 October 1916, Anderson was commissioned as a lieutenant in the King's African Rifles
King's African Rifles
The King's African Rifles was a multi-battalion British colonial regiment raised from the various British possessions in East Africa from 1902 until independence in the 1960s. It performed both military and internal security functions within the East African colonies as well as external service as...
. He fought with that regiment's 3rd Battalion in the East African campaign
East African Campaign (World War I)
The East African Campaign was a series of battles and guerrilla actions which started in German East Africa and ultimately affected portions of Mozambique, Northern Rhodesia, British East Africa, Uganda, and the Belgian Congo. The campaign was effectively ended in November 1917...
against German colonial forces
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
, such as Askari
Askari
Askari is an Arabic, Bosnian, Urdu, Turkish, Somali, Persian, Amharic and Swahili word meaning "soldier" . It was normally used to describe local troops in East Africa, Northeast Africa, and Central Africa serving in the armies of European colonial powers...
soldiers. Anderson was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
for his service in this campaign.
Following the war, Anderson lived the life of a gentleman farmer in Kenya, marrying Edith Tout, an Australian in February 1931. Three years later the couple moved to Australia where they purchased a grazing property near Young
Young, New South Wales
-Demographics:On census night, 7 August 2001, there were 6,821 people counted in Young. There were 238 people who identified as being of Indigenous origin in the 2001 Census...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. He joined the Citizens Military Forces
Australian Army Reserve
The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...
in March 1939 and following the outbreak of the Second World War, Anderson joined the Second Australian Imperial Force
Second Australian Imperial Force
The Second Australian Imperial Force was the name given to the volunteer personnel of the Australian Army in World War II. Under the Defence Act , neither the part-time Militia nor the full-time Permanent Military Force could serve outside Australia or its territories unless they volunteered to...
.
Second World War
Anderson was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assigned to the 2/19th Battalion, part of the Australian 8th DivisionAustralian 8th Division
The 8th Division of the Australian Army was formed to serve in World War II, as part of the Second Australian Imperial Force, who were in turn, part of the Allies of World War II. The 8th Division was raised from regular army units and new, all-volunteer infantry brigades, from July 1940 onwards...
, deployed to Malaya
British Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
in 1941.
During the period of 18–22 January 1942 in the Battle of Muar
Battle of Muar
The Battle of Muar was the last major battle of the Malayan campaign. It took place from 14–22 January 1942 around Gemensah Bridge and on the Muar River...
near the Muar River
Muar River
The Muar River or Sungai Muar is a river which flows through the states of Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang in Malaysia. The river also flows through Muar town.- History :...
in British Malaya
British Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
, the forty four year-old Anderson was in command of a small force which destroyed ten enemy tanks. When they were later cut off, Anderson led his force through fifteen miles (24 km) of enemy-occupied territory, being attacked by air and ground forces all the way. They were again surrounded and suffered heavy casualties; although the detachment attempted to fight its way through another eight miles (13 km) of enemy-occupied territory, this proved impossible, and Anderson had to destroy his equipment and attempted to work his way around the enemy. However he insisted on protecting the wounded from his unit and refused to leave them. For these actions, Anderson was awarded the highest and most prestigious decoration for gallantry in the face of the enemy that could be awarded to British Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces.
His V.C citation, as listed in the London gazette, 13 February 1942, states: for setting a magnificent example of brave leadership, determination and outstanding courage. He not ony showed fighting qualities of very high order but throughout exposed himself to danger without any regard for his own personal safety
Anderson was captured and became a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
for three years (1942–1945). He was the chief staff officer under Brigadier Arthur Varley of the 22nd Brigade in A Force - the first contingent of voluntary POWs at Changi POW camp
Changi Prison
Changi Prison is a prison located in Changi in the eastern part of Singapore.-First prison and POW camp:...
to avail themselves of a Japanese "offer" to move to a new location where they were told there would be abundant food and a healthy climate. In reality the group of 3,000 were shipped to Burma and were used as slave labour to build the 415 km railway link between Nong Pladuk in Thailand and Thanbyuzayat in Burma.
His appointment in the army was terminated on 21 December 1945 and he returned to his property in New South Wales.
Later life
Charles Anderson entered politics in 1949Australian federal election, 1949
Federal elections were held in Australia on 10 December 1949. All 121 seats in the House of Representatives, and 42 of the 60 seats in the Senate were up for election, where the single transferable vote was introduced...
, winning the Division of Hume
Division of Hume
The Division of Hume is an Australian Electoral Division in the state of New South Wales. The Division is located in the central part of the state, just north of the Australian Capital Territory. The Division covers a predominantly rural area, with agriculture and coal mining the main industries...
as a representative of the Country Party
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
with an 18.8% swing. He lost his House of Representatives
Australian House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia; it is the lower house; the upper house is the Senate. Members of Parliament serve for terms of approximately three years....
seat in the 1951 federal election
Australian federal election, 1951
Federal elections were held in Australia on 28 April 1951. All 121 seats in the House of Representatives, and all 60 seats in the Senate were up for election, due to a double dissolution called after the Senate rejected the Commonwealth Bank Bill...
, unsuccessfully stood for Hume at the 1954 election
Australian federal election, 1954
Federal elections were held in Australia on 29 May 1954. All 121 seats in the House of Representatives were up for election, no Senate election took place...
before regaining the seat in 1955
Australian federal election, 1955
Federal elections were held in Australia on 10 December 1955. All 122 seats in the House of Representatives, and 30 of the 60 seats in the Senate were up for election. The incumbent Liberal Party of Australia led by Prime Minister of Australia Robert Menzies with coalition partner the Country Party...
, and remaining in parliament until his defeat at the 1961 election
Australian federal election, 1961
Federal elections were held in Australia on 9 December 1961. All 122 seats in the House of Representatives, and 31 of the 60 seats in the Senate were up for election...
. While in parliament Anderson served as a member of the Joint Committee on the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
.
Anderson owned farming properties around Young, New South Wales
Young, New South Wales
-Demographics:On census night, 7 August 2001, there were 6,821 people counted in Young. There were 238 people who identified as being of Indigenous origin in the 2001 Census...
, and following his retirement from politics in 1961, moved permanently to Red Hill
Red Hill, Australian Capital Territory
Red Hill is a suburb of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. The suburb is named after the northernmost hill of the ridge to the west of the suburb. The ridge is a reserve and managed as part of the Canberra Nature Park. The hill is an element of the central Canberra design...
in Canberra, where he died in 1988.
There is a memorial stone and plaque for Anderson at Norwood Crematorium, Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of all its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in the wars of the Commonwealth of Australia...
, Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, Australia.
Honours & Awards
| |
Victoria Cross Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories.... (VC) |
(1942) |
| |
Military Cross Military Cross The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.... (MC) |
(1916) |
| 1914-15 Star 1914-15 Star The 1914-15 Star was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War I.The 1914-15 Star was approved in 1918, for issue to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who served in any theatre of the War between 5 August 1914 and 31 December 1915 .Recipients of this medal also... |
||
| British War Medal British War Medal The British War Medal was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War I.The medal was approved in 1919, for issue to officers and men of British and Imperial forces who had rendered service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918... |
||
| |
Victory Medal | |
 |
1939-1945 Star | |
| Pacific Star Pacific Star The Pacific Star was a campaign medal of the British Commonwealth, awarded for service in World War II. It was also awarded to certain foreign servicemen, such as Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz of the United States.-Entitlement:... |
||
| War Medal 1939–1945 War Medal 1939–1945 The War Medal 1939–1945 was a British decoration awarded to those who had served in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy full-time for at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. In the Merchant Navy, the 28 days must have been served at sea... |
||
| Australia Service Medal 1939-45 Australia Service Medal 1939-45 The Australia Service Medal 1939-45 recognises service by Australia's armed forces, Mercantile Marine and Volunteer Defence Corps during World War II.... |
External links
- Charles Groves Wright Anderson VC, 1942, www.thevictoriacross.net
- C W G Anderson VC, 1949, portrait, nla.gov.au (Catalogue entry)
- ART31764 - Lieutenant Colonel Charles Anderson, painting by John Barclay Godson, 1956, Australian War Memorial
- Charles Anderson, Fifty Australians, Australian War Memorial