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War Memorial
Australia

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the enemy broke through on the right he placed two Lewis guns on the flank, and withdrew his company in good order, he himself staying with the last platoon and directing the operation.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 185
Date: 27 November 1918

Frederic Anderson was born in Ballarat, Victoria on the 28th of August 1895. Minimal is known about the early years of his life, other than that he did a three-year apprenticeship in Melbourne presumably as an electrical engineer, the occupation listed on his enlistment form. His family also moved from Ballarat to Adelaide at some stage.

On the 16th of September 1914 with no previous military service, the then 25-year-old Frederic Anderson enlisted in the AIF at the Morphettville recruitment office. Two months and three days later on the 19th of December 1914, his attestation was certified, and he was officially appointed to the 16th Infantry Battalion, though he was already training with them. 3 days later, he embarked from Australia presumably to Alexandria, Egypt where he later embarked.

On the 12th of April 1914, Frederic embarked for Gallipoli from Alexandria, Egypt. Frederic fought bravely in Gallipoli until the 9th of August 1914 when unfortunately, he was injured with a gunshot wound to his right thigh and had to be taken aboard the HMAT Esmeral to Alexandria. He was transferred from Alexandria to the 3rd Auxilliary Hospital in Cairo. He remained there until a little over one month later, the 18th October when Frederic embarked from Alexandria to Mudros and rejoined his unit.

He fought in Gallipoli until it was evacuated by Anzac forces from the 8th to the 20th of December. He returned to Alexandria, Egypt via Mudros on the 30th of December to undergo further training while decisions were made by those in higher positions. For his service in Gallipoli, he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant 19th March 1916.

After 3 months had gone by, it was decided what was to be done and was transferred to and taken on strength by the 48th Infantry Battalion made up of his old 16th battalion and recruits from Australia. Frederic was then sent aboard the HNT Caledonia from Alexandria to Marseilles where he arrived a week after embarking on the 9th of June 1916. Frederic was once again promoted this time to a Lieutenant on the 15th of June 1916.

Frederic fought bravely in France until he was unfortunately injured again this time with a shell wound to his hand and severe abrasion to his face on the 7th of August. He was sent to a hospital in France for urgent treatment. Before being taken to England for further treatment where he was until the 25 of November. He later returned to his unit from the 19th of January to the 7th of February before it was realized he had metacarpal necrosis after sustaining a gunshot wound to his left hand and returned to England.

After all his woes with injury, Frederic was finally able to rejoin his battalion in France on the 27th of July. From there he fought with his battalion through multiple battles such as the battle of Polygon Wood from the 26th of September to the 3rd of October 1917, the first battle of Passchendaele 12th of October, and the first battle of Dernancourt.

However, the most notable thing Frederic did was on the 3rd of May in Villers-Bretonneux, France. Here when the enemy broke through on the right he placed two Lewis guns on the flank, and withdrew his company in good, order, he himself staying with the last platoon and directing the operation. For these actions, Frederic was promoted to Captain, given special leave, and awarded a Military Medal mentioned in the Commonwealth Gazette where this extract is taken from. During his special leave, Frederic married to Margaret Anderson.

After his time in the military was over, he went back to his life and became a postmaster. He passed away on the 25th of January 1956 and was buried in the Centennial Park cemetery.