A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. and Second Award Bar group of three awarded to Captain David Wilson Anderson, 6th Battalion London Regiment (City of London Rifles), killed in action 8 August 1918

Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) mounted court style for wear, nearly extremely fine (3) £1400-1800

M.C. London Gazette 27 October 1917, ‘2nd Lt., Lond. R.’

Citation (ref. The Artists Rifles Roll of Honour) ‘Near Ypres, 20th September, 1917. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. By his skilful leadership his company captured all its objectives. When all the other officers became casualties he exposed himself fearlessly to the enemy’s fire, and by his personal encouragement ensured the consolidation of the captured positions and repelled several counter-attacks, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.’

Bar to M.C. London Gazette 17 December 1917; citation 23 April 1918.

Citation (ref. The Artists Rifles Roll of Honour) ‘Near Poelcappelle, 3rd October, 1917. In spite of difficult natural conditions and the total absence of all landmarks, he led his company to within 100 yards of the barrage line before an attack. Although his men were being continually bogged, he inspired them by his personal example. In spite of heavy casualties he fought his way from one position to another until he had gained his objective, which he successfully consolidated and held.’

David Wilson Anderson from Wolston, Coventry, enlisted into the Hussars on 8 September 1915, transferred to the 10th Battalion Black Watch on 12 October 1914, received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in that unit on 10 November 1914 and relinquished his commission on 11 May 1915. He enlisted into the 3rd/28th Battalion, London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles) on 17 May 1915. With them he was on home service until 10 July 1916 when he was discharged as a consequence of being appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the 6th Reserve Battalion London Regiment. With the 6th Battalion he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 26 January 1917.

Serving with the 6th Battalion during the Third Battle of Ypres, he was an inspiration to his men, who, having reach his objective, plainly stated in the face of enemy counter-attacks, ‘We’ve got here, and we’re going to stop here.’ The regimental history said of him, ‘In command of ‘A’ Company was Captain Anderson, a man of quick action, never cooler than when facing the enemy.’ For his service in the battle he was awarded the Military Cross. In action again in the attack on Noble’s Farm, near Poelcappelle, 30 October, he again captured his allotted objective, securing for himself in the process, the Bar to his M.C.

Captain Anderson was killed in action on 8 August 1918, aged 28 years, probably during the attack on Malard Wood, during the advance on the Somme front. During that day the British Army in that area advanced some six to eight miles and captured some 21,000 prisoners and hundreds of guns. Ludendorff subsequently referred to it as ‘Germany’s Black Day’. Captain Anderson was buried in the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, Somme. He was the son of Mrs Amelia Anderson of 26 Maule Street, Carnoustie, Forfarshire.

Captain Anderson was one of only three officers of ‘The Cast Iron Sixth’ to be awarded the Military Cross and Bar. Note: one other officer with these initials, surname and rank in the 1918 Army List. Sold with a quantity of copied research.