VC Action: William Anderson (1885
- 13 March 1915) was about 29 years old, and a corporal in
the 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra, Princess
of Wales's Own), British Army during the First World War.
William Anderson enlisted in the Alexandra
Princess of Wales’ Own (Yorks Regiment), serving in it for
a period of seven years in Egypt and India, where he raised
to the rank of Corporal. On the expiry of his service in 1912
he returned to Glasgow. At the outbreak of the war he was
called to the colours as a reservist and was sent to Belgium
with his regiment to join the British Expeditionary Force.
He took an active part in the First Battle of Ypres in Fall
1914 and he fought at Estaires in early 1915.
The following deed took place for which he
was awarded the VC.
On 12 March 1915 at Neuve Chapelle, France,
Corporal Anderson led three men with bombs against a large
party of the enemy who had entered our trenches and who had
by this prompt and determined action saved what might otherwise
have become a serious situation. Corporal Anderson first threw
his own bombs then those in possession of his three men, who
had all been wounded among the Germans after which he opened
rapid fire upon them with great effect, notwithstanding that
he was by this time quite alone.
On 13th March 1915, after the engagement
at Neuve Chapelle, he was reported missing but as a result
of inquiry it was found that he had been wounded and it was
thought that he had been captured and was a prisoner in Germany.
Contrary to these reports, he had been killed in action, but
his remains were never found. |
