Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

1939 - while in camp in Sydney, Roger was chosen as the subject of a bust representing a typical AIF officer for Dept of Information and Military Records.

Contributed by St Ignatius College, Adelaide

 

Roger Warren Sanderson was a character of truly dedicated service, having been involved with the military before, during and after WW2. This was recognised by his award, amongst others, of The Australian Efficiency Medal. He was involved in several operations during the war, most notably the Siege of Tobruk, The Battle of Milne Bay, and The Battle of Buna-Gona.

 

Before the war

Sanderson was born on June12th, 1912, to John William Sanderson (25/11/1884- 17/6/1942) and Cora Mabel Aisbett (26/1/1885- 21/6/1935). He was the second of four children and grew up in Glenelg, South Australia, before moving to 57 West Terrace, Kensington Gardens after his marriage to Euganie Laura Alderman in 1943. He worked as a life insurance inspector before spending five years with the 4thMilitary District Signals where he advanced from a signalman to Second Lieutenant by 1939. He enlisted on 9th October 1939 at the age of 27.

 

During the war (1939-1945)

Sanderson quickly ascended the military ranks from Lieutenant Provisional shortly after enlisting, to Lieutenant a month later. On 15th December 1939, Sanderson was ‘taken on strength’ (1) and commenced duty in Woodside with the 2/10th Australian Infantry Battalion, where he spent six months before beginning overseas service, travelling from Sydney to Gounrock, Scotland to commence several months of intensive training with daily drills, rifle exercises, and trench digging (2).

In November 1940, Sanderson embarked to Egypt, where he was involved in his first conflict, reinforcing the 2/9thAustralian Infantry Battalion for their successful attack on the Italians during the Battle of Giarabub (3). His Battalion then moved to Tobruk in early April, where they were involved in one of Sanderson’s most notable conflicts, the Siege of Tobruk. This was a long difficult attack against German-Italian troops, and significant in preventing the enemy from transporting supplies and troops for future attacks (4).

For four months, Sanderson’ battalion withstood daily tank attacks, artillery barrages, and

bombings, as well as the extreme heat during the day, cold nights and many dust storms, all while living in dug-outs, caves and crevasses. His and his comrades’ qualities of determination, bravery and humour were an inspiration to fellow troops throughout the war, resulting in their nickname ‘Rats of Tobruk.’ (5) Although Sanderson was hospitalised for tonsilitis and an ear infection (4th Australian General Hospital- AGH) after four months, his contribution as one of the ‘Rats of Tobruk’ was recognised and rewarded with his promotion to Captain in July 1941.

Sanderson re-joined his Battalion for training in September, until August 1942, when his Battalion were part of the notable Battle of Milne Bay, New Guinea. This was particularly significant, being the first Japanese land defeat, boosting the morale and confidence of Allied troops and shattering the image of Japanese invincibility (6) along with constant downpours, and a humid climate. Sanderson’s Unit Diaries highlights the difficult lifestyle of the soldiers, showing that they were ordered to ‘lie down and stay down,’ and faced ‘haphazard mortar fire, crackers and hand grenades,’ depicting the importance of trust and confidence the soldiers needed to have in each other and their superiors.

Sanderson’s Battalion subsequently fought in another significant operation against the Japanese, the Battle of Buna-Gona, Papua New Guinea. Together with the 2/9th Battalion, the troops helped the 18th Brigade with an airfield attack on 18th December. It was important to gain control of Buna to develop an Allied base there, and after five long days of brutal fighting, the soldiers successfully cleared the area between the airfield and coastline (7). However, further progress was hindered by many casualties, and on 29th December, Sanderson sustained a gunshot wound to his left arm (8). Days later, the exhausted and diminished 2/10thBattalion were replaced with the invigorated 2/12th Battalion, and the Allies successfully secured Buna.

Over the following year, Sanderson was hospitalised numerous times for many infections likely related to the poor sanitary conditions of the trenches. He also contracted malaria, a potentially fatal disease transmitted by mosquitos resulting in symptoms of high fevers, chills, and flu-like illnesses. On recovery, he spent several months training in Port Moresby, where he also played occasional games of cricket, deck tennis, basketball and AFL with his fellow soldiers, clearly displaying Australian comradery, as even during dark times, they could keep their spirits up and have fun as a team.

Sanderson remained with his unit until January 1944, when he joined the 18thBrigade in the Shaggy Ridge operations, where the Allies successfully gained control of the ridge resulting in over 500 Japanese deaths. Shaggy Ridge is the highest point in North-eastern New Guinea, measuring approximately 6.5-kilometres-long. The 2/16th Battalion was able to capture only part of it, but upon joining forces with the 18th Brigade, they conceived a plan to divide and conquer by attacking the ridge from three different directions. In late January, the 2/10th began their advance on the eastern front to Faria Ridge but were quickly met with Japanese resistance. However, all Battalions persisted fighting for control of the Japanese headquarters with heavy artillery and bombs, until finally Sanderson and his troops advanced to Crater Hill, finding it deserted and in ruins.

Sanderson spent another year training in Townsville, despite consistent ill health requiring transfer to Kapara, (a Red Cross Convalescent Home) and the 105 Australian Military Hospital (AMH) for treatment of recurrent malaria, haemorrhoids and Ancylostomiasis, a hookworm disease causing blood loss. Sanderson’s many illnesses in the war showcase the difficulties that he and many others had to endure as a part of their service, highlighting the lack of hygiene and sanitary conditions and the inadequate supply of medical staff and equipment. It is also evident that the hospitals lacked modern facilities and technology, and easily curable illnesses of today were likely life threatening during the war.

In February 1945, Sanderson spent three months at Land Headquarters Tactical School, Queensland, receiving intensive guidance on fighting tactics, including attack, defence, withdrawal, ambushes, patrolling, protection, and lessons regarding jungle warfare, which was heavily prominent in New Guinea (9). He then re-joined his unit, embarking for Balikpapan Borneo in June 1945. This was an important source of oil for the Japanese, and thus, tactical to secure for the Allies and cut enemy supply. Although the 2/10th Battalion contributed to only a week of Balikpapan operations, they successfully cleared the city and remained there until the end of WW2 and beyond. Sanderson, however, received long service discharge in August 1945, before finally disembarking in Brisbane on 15th September 1945. His last day of full-time duty was 10th December 1945.

After the war (1945 and beyond)

Sanderson continued to serve even after the war, enlisting to the newly established 10th Infantry Battalion C.M.F on 14thMay 1948. This was a voluntary Citizen Military Force, encouraging part-time training with evening parades, weekend bivouacs, and annual camps. In May 1950, he was promoted to Major. Sanderson’s willingness to continue serving not only highlights his extreme dedication, but also his strength, courage, and sacrifice as he was not deterred from serving due to the horrors he experienced in WW2. Sanderson died in 1989, outliving his wife and two brothers.

Awards and Decorations

Sanderson was mentioned in dispatches for his WW2 service. This was a recognition of bravery or distinguished service, often published in the London Gazette, and was awarded as a bronze oak leaf emblem, usually worn on the 1939-1945 War medal (10). Sanderson displayed ‘Exceptional service in the field in the Southwestern Pacific Area,’ recognising his courage, loyalty and trustworthiness as a soldier.

Sanderson was also honoured with two post-war awards. He received The Australian Efficiency Medal on 4th May 1949, for twelve years of efficient service. He was also awarded The Australian Efficiency Decoration on 25thMay 1955, for long service and good conduct, which was

published in the Australian Gazette, again demonstrating his incredible dedication and exemplary behaviour.

 

Citations

1 (National Archives of Australia, n.d)

2 (AWM52 8/3/10 – 2/10 Infantry Battalion, n.d.)

3 (Australian War Memorial, n.d.)

4 (Australian War Memorial n.d.)

5 (Australian War Memorial n.d.)

6 (Australian Defence Force, August 2022)

7 (Australian War Memorial, n.d.)

8 (National Archives of Australia, n.d.)

9 (Australian War Memorial 2004)

10 (Australian War Memorial, December 2020)

 

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ACT, R 2022, Department of Defence, Defence Australia.

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<https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U56053#:~:text=The%202%2F10th%20embarked%20f or>.

― n.d., AWM52 8/3/10 - 2/10 Infantry Battalion, www.awm.gov.au, viewed 30 April 2023,

<https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1361179>.

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― n.d., Battle of Buna, www.awm.gov.au.

― 2004, Remembering the war in New Guinea - Jungle, ajrp.awm.gov.au, viewed 8 April 2023, <http://ajrp.awm.gov.au/ajrp/remember.nsf/pages/NT00001832>.

― 2018, Siege of Tobruk | The Australian War Memorial, Awm.gov.au.

― 2020, Mention in despatches | Australian War Memorial, www.awm.gov.au.

― n.d., Rats of Tobruk 1941 | Australian War Memorial, www.awm.gov.au.

Bradyfamilytree 2023, Cora Mabel AISBETT (1885 - 1935): Brady Family Tree in Western Australia, www.bradyfamilytree.org, viewed 14 May 2023,

<https://www.bradyfamilytree.org/genealogy/getperson.php?personID=I99439&tree=BRAD Y2008>.

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corporateName =Department of Veterans’ Affairs; address=21 Genge St, CC n.d., Milne Bay 1942, Anzac Portal.

FamilySearch n.d., FamilySearch.org, ancestors.familysearch.org, viewed 8 April 2023,

<https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LXJS-64F/bruce-aisbett-sanderson-1913-1968>.

Kapara a centre of care during war years - Good Lives for Older People n.d., ACH Group, viewed 13 April 2023, <https://achgroup.org.au/news-posts/kapara-centre-care-war-years/>.

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<https://www.ozatwar.com/ausarmy/lhqtacticalschool.htm>.

MedalsOfService n.d., Efficiency Medal ‘Australian’ Full Size – Medals of Service, Medals of Service, viewed 8 April 2023, <https://www.medalsofservice.com.au/product/efficiency- medal-australian-full-size/>.

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SANDERSON ROGER WARREN : Service Number - SX1469 : Date of birth - 12 Jun 1912 : Place of birth - GLENELG SA : Place of enlistment - ADELAIDE SA : Next of Kin - SANDERSON EUGANIE 1939, National Archives of Australia, viewed 30 April 2023,

<https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6656754>. TROVE 1935, ‘Family Notices’, West Australian, 25 June, Perth, Western Australia.