The AIF Project

Ernest John ANDERSON

Regimental number1611
Place of birthHastings, New Zealand
True NameCHASE, Alexander
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressBingara, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24.1
Next of kinFriend, Miss Edith Chase, Waymarama, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date8 March 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll8 March 1916
Place of enlistmentNewcastle, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name35th Battalion, 1st Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/52/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A24 Benalla on 1 May 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll35th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 14 May 1918

FateDied of wounds 8 August 1919
Place of burialVignacourt British Cemetery (Plot V, Row A, Grave No. 15), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
125
Medals

Military Medal

'For gallant conduct and devotion to duty during attack on enemy trenches near MORLANCOURT on the night of 5th/6th May, 1918. The left flank platoon suffered heavy casualties before reaching their objective, leaving Private ANDERSON and 5 others cut off. Seeing what had happened he took charge of the party and rushed through to the second objective where a large party of the enemy with a machine gun was encountered. Notwithstanding the small number of this party, and that the enemy was on both sides Private ANDERSON led it to the attack. Two of the five became casualties at this point, but Private ANDERSON persisted in his attack, took the machine gun, and after extricating himself and his men from the enemy position, he got back his captured gun and 20 prisoners.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, ANDERSON Ernest John

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