Charles Groves Wright Anderson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Groves Wright Anderson
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| Member of the Australian Parliament for Hume |
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| In office 10 December 1949 – 28 April 1951 |
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| Preceded by | Arthur Fuller |
| Succeeded by | Arthur Fuller |
| In office 10 December 1955 – 9 December 1961 |
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| Preceded by | Arthur Fuller |
| Succeeded by | Arthur Fuller |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 February 1897 Cape Town, Cape Colony |
| Died | 11 November 1988 (aged 91) Red Hill, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | ACP |
| Profession | Farmer, soldier, politician |
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| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Commands | 2/19th Battalion (1941–1942) |
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| Awards | |
Lieutenant Colonel Charles Groves Wright Anderson (born February 12, 1897 – died November 11, 1988) was a brave soldier, farmer, and politician. He was born in South Africa but became an Australian citizen.
Charles Anderson received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for bravery in the British Commonwealth. He also served as a member of the Australian House of Representatives, which is part of Australia's government.
After growing up in Africa and going to school in England, Anderson fought as an officer in the First World War. He earned the Military Cross for his courage. After the war, he became a farmer in Kenya.
In the 1930s, he married an Australian woman and moved to Australia. He joined Australia's part-time military force in 1939. When the Second World War started, he volunteered to serve overseas.
In 1941, he was sent to Malaya. He became the leader of the 2/19th Battalion during the fight against the Japanese. For his amazing actions in January 1942, especially during the Battle of Muar, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
He was captured by the Japanese and spent over three years as a prisoner of war. After the war, he returned to farming. He also served in the Australian Parliament twice, from 1949 to 1951 and from 1955 to 1961. He passed away in Canberra at the age of 91.
Contents
Early Life and First World War Service
Charles Anderson was born in Cape Town, South Africa, on February 12, 1897. His parents were from Scotland and Belgium. When he was three, his family moved to Kenya, where his father started farming.
He went to school in Kenya and then in England. When the First World War began, he returned to Kenya. In 1914, he joined the local military forces. He later became a lieutenant in the King's African Rifles.
He fought in the East African campaign against German colonial forces. For his bravery in this campaign, he received the Military Cross.
After the war, in 1919, Anderson became a farmer in Kenya. In 1931, he married Edith Tout, who was Australian. He stayed active as a part-time soldier. In 1934, he and his wife moved to Australia and bought a farm in Young, New South Wales.
In 1939, he joined Australia's part-time army. When the Second World War started, he volunteered to serve overseas.
Second World War Heroism
In July 1940, Charles Anderson joined the new 2/19th Infantry Battalion. This battalion was part of the 8th Division. After training, his unit was sent to Malaya in 1941. This was because people were worried about Japan's plans in the area.
Anderson was the second-in-command of the battalion. He was very good at jungle warfare, so he taught the soldiers how to use the jungle to their advantage. In August 1941, he became the commanding officer of the 2/19th Battalion.
The war in the Pacific began on December 7, 1941, when Japan invaded Malaya. In January 1942, Anderson's battalion was sent to help other troops.
The Battle of Muar and Parit Sulong
From January 18 to 22, 1942, Anderson, then 44 years old, led a small group of soldiers in the Battle of Muar. They managed to destroy ten enemy tanks. Later, his group was cut off from the main forces.
Anderson bravely led his soldiers through 15 miles (24 km) of enemy territory. They were attacked by air and ground forces along the way. Many times, Anderson had to lead his men in close-up fights with bayonets against the Japanese.
Anderson is famous for leading the Allied attack in Parit Sulong. The Allied troops were trying to retreat to Yong Peng. But when they reached Parit Sulong, they found their way blocked. The main bridge was held by the Japanese, who had a machine gun defending it.
Anderson's Australian and Indian troops were surrounded. A fierce battle lasted for several days. They were heavily outnumbered and constantly attacked by Japanese tanks, machine guns, and bombs from the air. Despite heavy losses, they held their position and refused to surrender.
Anderson tried to get the wounded soldiers to safety using an ambulance. However, the Japanese would not let the vehicles cross the bridge.
Since they could not break through, Anderson had to destroy his equipment. He then ordered every able soldier to escape through the jungle to reach the main force. They had to leave the wounded behind, hoping the Japanese would care for them. Sadly, the Japanese later killed about 150 wounded Australian and Indian soldiers near the bridge. This event is known as the Parit Sulong Massacre.
For his incredible bravery and leadership during these battles, Charles Anderson was awarded the Victoria Cross. This is the highest award for courage in the face of the enemy for British Commonwealth forces.
His award statement said he showed "magnificent example of brave leadership, determination and outstanding courage." It also noted that he "exposed himself to danger without any regard for his own personal safety."
After these battles, Anderson went to Singapore. He was later hospitalized and missed most of the fighting after the Japanese landed there. On February 13, he left the hospital and returned to his battalion. His unit was down to only 180 men from 900. He led them until the surrender two days later.
Prisoner of War
Anderson was captured and spent three years as a prisoner of war (POW). He was held in Changi Prison and later forced to work on the 415 km railway between Thailand and Burma. This railway was built using slave labor.
During his time as a prisoner, Anderson worked hard to help other prisoners. He led by example and kept their spirits up. When the war ended, he was sent back to Australia. He left the army in December 1945 and returned to his farm.
Life After the War
Charles Anderson decided to enter politics in 1949. He won a seat in the Australian House of Representatives for the Country Party. He represented the area called Hume.
He lost his seat in the 1951 election but won it back in 1955. He stayed in parliament until he was defeated in the 1961 election. While in parliament, Anderson served on committees that looked at issues concerning the Australian Capital Territory and foreign affairs.
Even after retiring from active military service, Anderson was an honorary colonel for two battalions between 1957 and 1960. He owned farms near Young, New South Wales. After leaving politics in 1961, he moved to Red Hill in Canberra. He passed away there in 1988 at the age of 91. He had three children.
His Victoria Cross medal is on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Honours and Awards
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Victoria Cross (VC) | (1942) |
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Military Cross (MC) | (1916) |
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1914–15 Star | |
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British War Medal | |
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Victory Medal | |
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1939–1945 Star | |
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Pacific Star | |
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Defence Medal | |
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War Medal 1939–1945 | |
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Australia Service Medal 1939–45 | |
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Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal | |
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Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal |
Charles Anderson also received the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal (1953) and the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977). These medals are part of his collection at the Australian War Memorial.
