ANDERSON, Howard George
| Service Number: | SX4424 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 June 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Strathalbyn, South Australia, 10 February 1912 |
| Home Town: | Bordertown, Tatiara, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer, South Australian Railways |
| Died: | Killed in Action-Shot Down, New Guinea, Papua, 29 November 1942, aged 30 years |
| Cemetery: |
Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea Grave Reference: B5. F. 27. |
| Memorials: | Adelaide South Australian Railways WW1 & WW2 Honour Boards, Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Lameroo Oval Memorial Gates |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Lance Corporal, SX4424 | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lance Corporal, SX4424 | |
| 4 Jun 1940: | Involvement Lance Corporal, SX4424, 27th Infantry Battalion | |
| 4 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Adelaide, SA | |
| 4 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Private, SX4424, Adelaide, South Australia | |
| 7 Jun 1941: | Involvement Private, SX4424, 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion, Syria - Operation Exporter | |
| 1 Sep 1942: | Involvement Lance Corporal, SX4424, 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion, Kokoda - Papua | |
| 22 Nov 1942: | Involvement Lance Corporal, SX4424, 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion, Buna / Gona / Sanananda "The Battle of the Beachheads" - Papua | |
| Date unknown: | Honoured Military Medal | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
The Brown and Blue Diamond at War by John Burns
The Brown and Blue Diamond at War by John Burns, Page 114
Private “Happy” Anderson, who was later killed at Gona, displayed great courage and devotion to duty in assisting the wounded – for this action and later gallantry he was awarded the Military Medal.
Submitted 19 January 2015 by Nick Bertram
Awarded the Military Medal
SX. 4424 – Pte. ANDERSON, Howard George - 2/27th Aust. Inf. Bn
APPROVED FOR AWARD OF MILITARY MEDAL (IMMEDIATE).
Pte. Anderson is a member of 8 Platoon ‘A” Coy 2/27 Aust. Inf. Bn.
On 6 September 1942 – 8 pl. formed a standing patrol covering Kagi-Myola track junction in New Guinea with object of ambushing advance elements of Jap forces.
Patrol was attached heavily and forced to withdraw. Pte. Anderson was the last man to leave, remaining under heavy fire coolly destroying rifles and collecting grenades from casualties.
During 7/8 Sept. 1942 ‘A’ Coy holding F.D.L of Bn. Defensive line astride main track was attacked continuously. Pte. Anderson of his own accord delivered ammunition to the Pl. which at times was urgently in need of it. He performed this task with complete disregard of his own safety and under intense fire crossed open ground to the various posts. The successful delivery of this ammunition proved of utmost importance in enabling the platoon to withstand the persistent attacks by the enemy.
Subsequently, when his platoon became detached during the withdrawal to base, Pte. Anderson in the absence of his Platoon Commander and Platoon Sgt. took control of the Platoon and led it back, being responsible for selecting the tracks and finding food in the jungle. His courage and untiring efforts inspired the men to keep going during this arduous 10 day journey.
It is recommended that he be awarded the Military Medal.
Submitted 19 January 2015 by Nick Bertram
Biography
"Private Casualty Advices
Mr. F. Anderson, of Bordertown has been informed that his eldest son L-Cpl H G. Anderson, 30, was killed in action in New Guinea on November 29. He was employed by the SA Railways before enlistment. He saw service in the Western Desert and in the Syrian campaign before going to New Guinea. While serving in Syria be was awarded a certificate for gallantry and devotion to duty, and later in New Guinea he was recommended for the Military Medal. Cpl. Anderson's younger brother, Gordon, has been serving in the same campaign." - from the Adelaide Advertiser 19 Dec 1942 (nla.gov.au)
Biography contributed by Cornerstone College
Anderson Howard George was born in Strathalbyn, South Australia, 10 February 1912. When Anderson finished school, he ended up working as a labourer for the South Australian Railways. He enlisted at the age of 27, lived to see 2 years’ worth of the war and primarily fought off the invading Japanese from the 4th June 1940 – 22nd November 1942 alongside the Kokoda trail through Papua New Guinea.
Anderson Howard George enlisted on 4th June -1940. After serving 9 Months of duty Anderson was promoted to Lance Corporal, his newfound duty as Lance Corporal meant he was responsible for leading a small team of up to 4 Soldiers (known as a Fire Team). Over his few years of skirmishes and fighting off the Japanese it was recommended that Anderson be Awarded the Military Medal. Following information taken from his service record depicts dates and detailed events of Anderson’s behaviour, specifically his efforts to keep up group Morale.
On 6 September 1942 – 8 pl. formed a standing patrol covering Kagi-Myola track junction in New Guinea with object of ambushing advance elements of Jap forces.
Patrol was attacked heavily and forced to withdraw. Pte. Anderson was the last man to leave, remaining under heavy fire coolly destroying rifles and collecting grenades from casualties.
Subsequently, when his platoon became detached during the withdrawal to base, Pte. Anderson in the absence of his Platoon Commander and Platoon Sgt. took control of the Platoon and led it back, being responsible for selecting the tracks and finding food in the jungle. His courage and untiring efforts inspired the men to keep going during this arduous 10-day journey.
Majority of his fighting saw him in Papua New Guinea, he was stationed there along with his 27th Infantry Battalion and young Papuan fighters. The young Papuan fighters aided and fought alongside our Australian Infantry Forces; their placement was intended to defend Australia from Japanese Forces advancing into our territory. By defending Australian water and keeping the Japanese out of the Pacific Islands we prevent them from seizing strategic positions. At the time Japan was pressing forward with their Aerial Assault on Australia (specifically Darwin), this was due to Darwin being an important source of resources and materials prioritized for Australian War efforts.
Private “Happy” Anderson, who was later killed at Gona, displayed great courage and devotion to duty in assisting the wounded – for this action and later gallantry he was awarded the Military Medal. Anderson Howard George was shot down at the battle of the beachheads, it was the final skirmish at the end of the Kokoda Trail and saw the Australian Infantry fight back the final wave of Japanese forces.
22 Nov 1942: Involvement Lance Corporal, SN SX4424, 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion, Buna / Gona / Sadananda "The Battle of the Beachheads" - New Guinea (his final fight before being KIA).
Referencing:
vwma.org.au. (n.d.). Howard George ANDERSON MM. [online] Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/378751 [Accessed 8 May 2023].
www.awm.gov.au. (n.d.). Howard George Anderson. [online] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1691998 [Accessed 8 May 2023].
vwma.org.au. (n.d.). Virtual War Memorial. [online] Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/campaigns/93.
Pngremembrancetrail.gov.au. (2023). Battle of Buna-Gona: ‘The Battle of the Beachheads’ | Virtual Remembrance Trail. [online] Available at: https://www.pngremembrancetrail.gov.au/event/battle-buna-gona-battle-beachheads [Accessed 17 May 2023].
vwma.org.au. (n.d.). 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion. [online] Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/units/11.
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