Distinguished Service Medal : Gunner W R Anderson, DEMS Accession Number: REL/17536.001

Description

Distinguished Service Medal (Geo VI). Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Contextual Description

William Rutledge Anderson was born in Melbourne, Victoria, in October 1915. He served as a member of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve during the 1930s with the number PM1678, and was called up for full-time service in September 1939, on the outbreak of the Second World War. Posted as gunlayer to the British Motor Vessel 'Dorset', a Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship (DEMS), he was in charge of the vessel's 4 inch guns. Anderson was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and Lloyd's Medal for Bravery at Sea for his actions on 13 August 1943 in the Operation 'Pedestal' convoy to Malta, in which the 'Dorset' was sunk. The citation for the DSM reads as follows: 'For distinguished services during the passage to Malta of an important convoy. He was on duty in the Motor Vessel DORSET when that vessel was sunk by enemy air attacks on 13 August, 1942 whilst on passage from Gourock to Malta. During the attacks, Gunner Anderson was outstanding throughout. He went round the guns and coolly repaired and rectified minor troubles and assisted at whichever gun was most actively engaged. The Master stated that he was always in the thick of the fight and his cheerful manner was an inspiration to all'. After some weeks on Malta, Anderson returned to sea, serving aboard the merchantmen 'Karamea' and 'Iron Duke', and the fleet tankers 'Bishopdale' and 'Kurumba', all of which were considered to be Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships. In 1946, he was selected to be part a of the RAN contingent to the Victory March in London, and received his discharge in September of the same year. Bill Anderson died in October 1986 at the age of 70.