Charles Groves Wright Anderson

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

Early life

Born 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 in February 1931 and three years later moving to Australia where the couple had purchased a grazing property near Young, New South Wales. He joined the Citizens Military Forces in March 1939 and following the outbreak of World War II later that year, Anderson joined the Second Australian Imperial Force.

World War II Military service

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 January - 22 January 1942 in the Battle of Muar near the Muar River, 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.

Anderson was captured and became a prisoner of war for three years. 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, 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

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Anderson has been decorated with the following honours:

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

Notes