Charles Anderson (Charlie) Service number 366ABorn in the year 1893 in Sweden. Charles was a farm labourer, single, and aged 25 years and 9 months, when he enlisted on the 3rd August 1916. His next of kin was his father, Andrers Andersen of Vedtfksofla, Sweden. His mother was Eljena Andersen.
He was assigned to the 10th Machine Gun Company.
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| HMAT A73 "Commonwealth" |
In March 1918 the 13th Machine Gun Company was in the field near the French village of Dernancourt. Keable was on a gun team with his mate Charles Croker and Private Charles Anderson. The valley the company was in came under heavy German shell-fire in the afternoon, with only two Australians killed. Those two men were Corporal Frank Keable and Private Charles Anderson, killed by the same shell. The two men were buried side by side in the field. Frank Keable was 25 years old. Charles was killed in action on the 28th March 1918.
Battle of Dernancourt involved the Australian 12th and 13th Brigades ( 4th Division ) on the railway embankment and cuttings in Dernancourt, just south of Albert . The under strength Australian Brigades ( numbering about 4,000 ) faced 4 German Divisions totalling about 25,000. Situated on the western side of the Ancre River valley, the Australians formed a defensive line at the railway embankment, from which they held back German attacks. The Australian 48th Battalion soon found itself outflanked by German to its rear. The 48th was ordered to hold at all costs but by midday was facing annihilation and the senior officer ordered a withdrawal. Much like the actions at Bullecourt the previous year, the Australian battalion withdrew successfully and in order.
182 from the Australian Infantry were killed on that first day (23rd March 1918) of the Battle of Dernancourt. The overall battle costs to the 12th and 13th Brigades ( 4th Division ) was 1,100 casualties.
LEST WE FORGET
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| Dernancourt diorama at the Australian War Memorial |
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| Dernancourt diorama at the Australian War Memorial |
Charles was buried at plot I, row C, Grave number 12, Senlis Communal Cementary Extension, France.
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| Charles Anderson's grave |
Private Walter G. Williams of Sunbury inserted a notice in the Argus, 30 April 1918.
In loving memory of a true mate and comrade, Gunner C. Anderson (Charlie) of Diggers Rest, officially reported killed in action, somewhere in France, on the 28th March.
He died as he lived - a man.
Charles's name can be found on panel 177 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial .
Charles Anderson was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
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