William Anderson

Corporal, 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.(Princess of Wales Own)

VC
Register No.
28 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank
Corporal all Corporals →
Unit
2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.(Princess of Wales Own) (register: Green Howards) all Green Howards VCs →
Date of action
12 March 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
Conflict / campaign
First World War
London Gazette
22nd May 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
Born
in November 1885 at Dallas, Elgin in Morayshire, Scotland
Died
the 13th March 1915 at Neuve Chappelle, France. (Killed
Award
Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
Memorial / grave
on Le Touret Memorial, France
Medal held by
the Green Howard's Museum

Digest of citation

On 12 March 1915 at Neuve Chappelle, France, Corporal Anderson led three men with bombs against a alarge party of the enemy who had entered our trenches, and by his prompt and determined action save what might have other wise become a serious situation. Corporal Anderson first threw his own bombs, then those in possession of the other men, (all of whom had been wounded) amongst the Germans, after which he opened rapid fire upon them with great effect, notwithstanding that he was at the time quite alone

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

ANDERSON, William (Reg. No. 28)

Corporal 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.(Princess of Wales Own)

London Gazetted on 22nd May 1915 VC Medal's Custodian is the Green Howard's Museum.

Born on in November 1885 at Dallas, Elgin in Morayshire, Scotland.

Died on the 13th March 1915 at Neuve Chappelle, France. (Killed in action)

Memorial on Le Touret Memorial, France.

Digest of Citation reads: On 12 March 1915 at Neuve Chappelle, France, Corporal Anderson led three men with bombs against a alarge party of the enemy who had entered our trenches, and by his prompt and determined action save what might have other wise become a serious situation. Corporal Anderson first threw his own bombs, then those in possession of the other men, (all of whom had been wounded) amongst the Germans, after which he opened rapid fire upon them with great effect, notwithstanding that he was at the time quite alone.

in action)

Visit the grave or memorial

Alf recorded the memorial as: on Le Touret Memorial, France

Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.

Research this recipient further

Would you like to honour William Anderson by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.