Military Cross : Lieutenant T Anderson, 8 Battalion, AIF Accession Number: REL24458.001

Description

Military Cross (Geo V). Engraved on reverse with recipient's details.

Contextual Description

Thomas Anderson was born in Ballarat, Victoria, in July 1886, and was employed there as a labourer prior to his enlistment in the AIF in December 1914. Posted to 8 Battalion, he sailed as number 1703 with the 4th Reinforcements to the unit in April 1915. With the rank of acting sergeant, he joined 8 Battalion on Gallipoli in May. He was evacuated from the peninsula in September, suffering from suppurating glands in his throat, which required extensive medical treatment. Consequently, Anderson did not rejoin his unit, by then in France, until mid-1916. He was wounded later in the year, probably in the fighting around Pozières and Mouquet Farm on the Somme, but recovered quickly, and was back with the battalion by September. In October 1917, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for courage and leadership in the attack on Broodseinde Ridge, but by the time the award was announced in November, he had already been commissioned in the field as a 2nd lieutenant. Promoted to lieutenant in March 1918, Anderson was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry in the Allied August offensive. He returned to Australia in late 1919, and his AIF appointment was terminated in January 1920. The recommendation for the MC reads as follows: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack north of ROSIERES on the 9/8/18. Lieut. Anderson was in charge of the platoon on the extreme right of the battalion, and when the troops on our right flank failed to advance, he showed fine judgement and tactical knowledge in forming a defensive flank. He led his platoon with fine dash and personally mopped up several pockets of Germans who were putting up a strong resistance. When his company commander became a casualty Lieut. Anderson took command of the company and led it in fine style, doing splendid work personally supervising consolidation and fighting the enemy back with Lewis Gun and rifle fire. During the attack on LIHONS ON THE 11/8/18 Lieut. Anderson, who was then in charge of the right line company, again distinguished himself by fine leadership and courage. Throughout the operation he sent frequent and accurate reports of the situation to the rear. On reaching his objective he found that his right flank was in the air on account of the troops on our right not having advanced. He skilfully formed a defensive flank and beat off a strong German counter-attack. He set his men a splendid example of courage, always leading them, taking his share of the hand-to-hand fighting and inspiring them to such an extent by his own courage that they threw back a far stronger body of the enemy numerically than themselves. He personally supervised the consolidation and established same on such a sound tactical basis that with a very weak garrison he was able to repel several attempts of the enemy to drive him back.’