William Herbert Anderson

He rallied the broken line and led two fearless counterblows

William Herbert Anderson was born in Glasgow on 29 December 1881 and educated at Fettes and in France. A chartered accountant in his father's firm, he served in the Lanark Rifle Volunteers before retiring as a lieutenant in 1908. He married Gertrude Gilmour in 1909 and returned to military service with the Highland Light Infantry in 1914. After training appointments, he reached France in September 1916 and eventually commanded the 12th Battalion.

Near Maricourt on 25 March 1918, German troops broke into the battalion's position. Anderson crossed exposed ground, rallied the surviving companies and personally led a counterattack that restored the line. Later that day he reorganized his men for another counterattack and again led them forward. The enemy were driven out, but he was killed.

There was no subsequent career. He was buried in Peronne Road Cemetery at Maricourt. His widow received his posthumous Victoria Cross at Leeds in May 1918. All four serving Anderson brothers died during the war.

Victoria Cross citation

For most conspicuous bravery, determination, and gallant leading of his command. The enemy attacked on the right of the battalion frontage, and succeeded in penetrating the wood held by our men. Owing to successive lines of the enemy following on closely there was the gravest danger that the flank of the whole position would be turned. Grasping the seriousness of the situation, Colonel Anderson made his way across the open in full view of the enemy now holding the wood on the right, and after much effort succeeded in gathering the remainder of the two right companies. He personally led the counter-attack and drove the enemy from the wood, capturing twelve machine guns and seventy prisoners, and restoring the original line. His conduct in leading the charge was quite fearless and his most splendid example was the means of rallying and inspiring the men during a most critical hour. Later on the same day, in another position, the enemy had penetrated to within three hundred yards of the village and were holding a timber-yard in force. Colonel Anderson reorganised his men after they had been driven in and brought them forward to a position of readiness for a counter-attack. He led the attack in person and throughout showed the utmost disregard for his own safety. The counter-attack drove the enemy from his position, but resulted in this very gallant officer losing his life. He died fighting within the enemy’s lines, setting a magnificent example to all who were privileged to serve under him.

Seventh Supplement to The London Gazette of 30 April 1918. 3 May 1918, Numb. 30667, pp. 5353-54