Distinguished Conduct Medal : Sergeant T Anderson, 8 Battalion, AIF

Distinguished Conduct Medal (Geo V). Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Thomas Anderson was born in Ballarat, Victoria, in July 1886, and was employed there as a labourer prior to his enlistment in the AIF in December 1914. Posted to 8 Battalion, he sailed as number 1703 with the 4th Reinforcements to the unit in April 1915. With the rank of acting sergeant, he joined 8 Battalion on Gallipoli in May. He was evacuated from the peninsula in September, suffering from suppurating glands in his throat, which required extensive medical treatment. Consequently, Anderson did not rejoin his unit, by then in France, until mid-1916. He was wounded later in the year, probably in the fighting around Pozières and Mouquet Farm on the Somme, but recovered quickly, and was back with the battalion by September. In October 1917, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for courage and leadership in the attack on Broodseinde Ridge, but by the time the award was announced in November, he had already been commissioned in the field as a 2nd lieutenant. Promoted to lieutenant in March 1918, Anderson was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry in the Allied August offensive. He returned to Australia in late 1919, and his AIF appointment was terminated in January 1920. The recommendation for the DCM reads as follows: 'During the attack on BROODSEINDE RIDGE east of YPRES on 4th October, 1917, this N.C.O. who was acting C.S.M. did splendid and courageous work during and after the advance. With 2 men he attacked and captured a pill box, inside our own barrage, which was punishing the attacking line with Machine Gun fire. To do this he had to penetrate our own barrage line. He rushed the pill box and shot the Machine Gunners and captured the Machine Gun and three men, in spite of a strong resistance by the enemy with bombs and Machine Guns. He also rendered valuable work in reorganisation and consolidation showing no regard for his own personal safety.'