James ANDERSON

Regimental number34
Place of birthDrysdale, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationDriver
Address'St Ives', Drysdale, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Next of kinMother, Mrs Anderson, 'St Ives', Drysdale, Victoria
Enlistment date19 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentDriver
Unit name2nd Field Ambulance
AWM Embarkation Roll number26/45/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 19 October 1914
Rank from Nominal RollDriver
Unit from Nominal Roll14th Field Ambulance
FateReturned to Australia 23 October 1918
Medals

Military Medal

'On the nights 18th/19th and 19th/20th June 1918 Private ANDERSON acted as driver to the Ford Motor Ambulance running between the Regimental Aid Post, South East of TREUX, and the Motor Loading Post, West of BUIRE. During these nights he repeatedly drove his car through barrage fire and successfully evacuated casualties. He showed indifference to danger, and splendid determination. the work of carefully driving a car in the dark, loaded with wounded, over a road pitted with shell holes, and in the villages of TREUX and BUIRE, covered with debris, demanded the greatest coolness and courage. His example set a fine standard for the other drivers of motor ambulances in the forward area and has had an excellent effect.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 23
Date: 12 February 1919

Bar to Military Medal

'For very great bravery on the night of 28th/29th July 1918 South East of MERICOURT on the BRAY-CORBIE Road when acting as driver of a Ford Motor Ambulance. Great difficulty was being experienced in getting the wounded away from the Regimental Aid Post at J 23 d 8.9 across country over broken muddy ground. Private NADERSON having heard of this drove his car along the Bray-Corbie Road in fully daylight and under considerable shell fire to a point in advance of the Aid Post and turned down a bye track and so reached the Aid Post. He returned along the same road many times and so effected the rapid evacuation of a large number of wounded. His action proceeding as far forward without having been ordered to do so along a road under full observation of the enemy and in full daylight not only showed great personal bravery and devotion to duty but also was a great use in successfully evacuating the wounded from the most difficult point in the sector.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 36
Date: 14 March 1919

Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Medals: Military Medal & Bar, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal