Major John Thompson McKellar Anderson VC DSO (12 January 1918 – 5 October 1943) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Anderson was 25 years old, and an acting major in the 8th Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's), British Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 23 April 1943 at Longstop Hill, Tunisia, Major Anderson assumed command of the battalion when his commanding officer was killed and although he himself was wounded in the leg he went on and eventually occupied the objective. His force was reduced to about 44 officers and men, but 200 prisoners were taken and he had personally led successful attacks on several machine-gun posts and mortars.
He was killed in action at Termoli, Italy on 5 October 1943.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum, Stirling Castle, Scotland.
‘Jock’ Anderson was educated at Stowe School where he was in Chatham House along with Leonard Cheshire, who was also awarded the VC, and at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Famous quotes containing the words thompson and/or anderson:
“Little Jesus, wast Thou shy
Once, and just so small as I?
And what did it feel like to be
Out of Heaven, and just like me?”
—Francis Thompson (1859–1907)
“I am willing, for a money consideration, to test this physical strength, this nervous force, and muscular power with which I’ve been gifted, to show that they will bear a certain strain. If I break down, if my brain gives way under want of sleep, my heart ceases to respond to the calls made on my circulatory system, or the surcharged veins of my extremities burst—if, in short, I fall helpless, or it may be, dead on the track, then I lose my money.”
—Ada Anderson (1860–?)