ANDERSON, Alexander Milne
| Service Numbers: | Officer, Q201198 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 September 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd (QLD) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) |
| Born: | Wyralla, New South Wales, Australia, 13 July 1883 |
| Home Town: | Mount Morgan, Rockhampton, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Teacher - State High School |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 24 May 1965, aged 81 years |
| Cemetery: |
Mount Thompson Memorial Gardens & Crematorium, Queensland |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 2 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, Officer, 15th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 1916: | Embarked 15th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Star of Victoria, Sydney | |
| 31 Mar 1916: | Involvement 15th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Star of Victoria embarkation_ship_number: A16 public_note: '' |
World War 2 Service
| 12 Apr 1942: | Involvement Private, Q201198, not allocated Enlistment Register | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, Q201198, 2nd (QLD) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC), Redcliffe, Qld. | |
| 12 Apr 1942: | Enlisted | |
| 31 Mar 1944: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, Q201198, 2nd (QLD) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) | |
| 31 Mar 1944: | Discharged |
Help us honour Alexander Milne Anderson's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Alexander was the son of James Kirkpatrick Anderson and Margaret Callender McBlaine of Benderloch, Orleigh Estate, South Brisbane, Qld.
He was 32, single and teaching Maths and Science in Mount Morgan State High School, Queensland at the time of his enlistment on 2 September 1915. He embarked with his unit on 31 March 1916 and returned to Australia in October 1919. During his time Alexander was firstly recommend for a Military Cross for special good work in leading his company into action during the battle at Passchendaele in October 1917 with the capture of a prisoner. When ordered by a Medical Officer to leave the line he refused to do so and remained on duty. He was awarded a Distinguished Service Order for conspicuous gallantry and initiative during the advance near Le Verquier, north west of St Quentin on 18 September 1918. Capt Anderson continually exposed himself at great risk in order to gather information, and, by directing his men, he was able to work along trenches and so cut the enemy off who were defending a very commanding position. In this position, he captured 220 of the enemy and numerous weapons. After the war Alexander returned teaching and married Marion Constance Reinhold in October 1922. He was Principal of Mt Mee School from 1 January 1924 unto 23 August 1936. From there he appears to move to Landsborough and from 1943 to 1949 was at Humpybong School Residence and finally retiring in Redcliffe.
Alexander served in the Voluntary Defence Corps in World War 2.
References – Alexander Milne Anderson, SN 5241, Service Record | Moreton Bay Our Story
Courtesy of Samual Cox
Military Cross
Recommendation date: 16 October 1917
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order
Recommendation date: 25 November 1918
Mention in Despatches
Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 31448 (11 July 1919); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 124 (30 October 1919).
Distinguished Service Order
'For most conspicuous gallantry and initiative during the advance near Le Verguier, north west of St. Quentin on the 18th September, 1918. When his company encountered very strong opposition on the objective, he continually exposed himself to gather information, and, by directing his men, he was able to work along trenches and so cut the enemy off, who were defending a very commanding position. In this position he captured 220 of the enemy, a number of machine guns, four minewerfers, and one 77mm gun. He did fine work.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 10
Date: 29 January 1920
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