Charles Groves Wright Anderson

Charles Anderson VC, MC
Member of the Australian Parliament for Hume
In office 10 December 1949 – 28 April 1951
Preceded by	Arthur Fuller
Succeeded by	Arthur Fuller
In office 10 December 1955 – 9 December 1961
Preceded by	Arthur Fuller
Succeeded by	Arthur Fuller
Personal details
Born	12 February 1897(1897-02-12) Cape Town, South Africa
Died	11 November 1988(1988-11-11) (aged 91) Red Hill, ACT
Nationality	South African Australian
Political party	Australian Country Party
Occupation	Farmer, Soldier, Politician
Military service
Allegiance	British Empire
Service/branch	Kenya Defence Force Australian Army
Years of service	1914–1919 1939–1945
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Commands	2/19th Battalion
Battles/wars	First World War East African Campaign Second World War Battle of Muar
Awards	Victoria Cross Military Cross

LtCol Anderson in Thailand,
14 September 1945

Charles Groves Wright Anderson VC, MC (12 February 1897 – 11 November 1988) was a South African-born, Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, a member of the Australian House of Representatives, and a farmer.

Early life

Born of Scottish parents in Cape Town, 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.

Second World War

Anderson was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assigned to the 2/19th Battalion, part of the Australian 8th Division, 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.

Later life

Charles Anderson entered politics in 1949, 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.

Honours & Awards

	Victoria Cross (VC)	(1942)
	Military Cross (MC)	(1916)
	1914-15 Star[citation needed]
	British War Medal[citation needed]
	Victory Medal[citation needed]
	1939-1945 Star[citation needed]
	Pacific Star[citation needed]
	War Medal 1939–1945[citation needed]
	Australia Service Medal 1939-45[citation needed]

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

Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Arthur Fuller	Member for Hume 1949–1951	Succeeded by Arthur Fuller
Preceded by Arthur Fuller	Member for Hume 1955–1961	Succeeded by Arthur Fuller