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Anderson, John D'Arcy

Date of birth:
September 23rd, 1908 (Downpatrick, Ireland)
Date of death:
April 16th, 1988 (Ealing, London)
Service number:
42399
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Major
Unit:
5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, 2nd Armoured Brigade, 1st Armoured Division, British Army
Awarded on:
September 27th, 1940
"For conspicous gallantry, coolness and determination.

On 27 May 1940 at ABBEVILLE Capt Anderson, the Brigade Major, during the attack of the 2nd Armoured Brigade S.W. of ABBEVILE, was sent forward in a Scout car with verbal orders to O.C. 10 H. He located the O.C. 10.H. who was closely engage in his tank with German anti-tank guns on the outskirts of HUPPY.

Under heavy shell and M.G. fire Captain Anderson left his scout car, crossed open ground on food, and delivered the orders. He then brought back to Brigade H.Q. a valuable situation report.

Later in the day Capt. Anderson, this time in a cruiser tank, again carried important verbal orders to the 10 H., who were still out of wireless touch.

Near HUPPY he came under intense anti-tank gun fire. His tank was quickly hit four times by anti-tank shells and set on fire. The wireless operator was wounded. Captain Anderson successfully maneuvered into cover, and got his crew out of the blazing tank.

He then, with the driver, pulled the wounded man, who was unable to walk, by his web equipment a long distance under M.G. fire to the shelter of a farmhouse, thereby saving this man's life.

Captain Anderson, by his valuable liaison work throughout the day, contributed very largely towards the maintenance of control and communications with forward regiments."
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Brigadier
Unit:
G-3, British Section, Allied Force Headquarters (AFHQ), Allied Forces
Awarded on:
December 13th, 1945
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
"Brigadier Anderson was head of the G-3 Org (British) Section, AFHQ, from November 1944 to March 1945, and again from May 1945 until the present time. In this appointment he was responsible for much of the organization and movement of forces for operations in Greece, and for the reorganization and regrouping of the forces for the Spring Offensive.

His great ability to grasp the essentials of a problem and to organized his branch of the staff to deal with it had always lead to the smooth handling even of the most difficult problems.

In his appointment, he has been called upon to coordinate the activities of many branches of the staff and to work closely with American and integrated branches.

By his untiring work, sound knowledge, not only of his own branch but of the functions of all the varied branches of AFHQ, and by his tact he has ensured the ready cooperation of all those with whom he has had to work.

He has set a high standard for his subordinates, with the result that not only has his own *** of outstanding ability, but also the whole of his branch has made considerable [?] contribution to the organization of the forces for final victory in this theatre."
Period:
After War Period (1945-now)
Rank:
Major-General
Awarded on:
January 1st, 1957
Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB)
Period:
After War Period (1945-now)
Rank:
Lieutenant-general
Awarded on:
December 31st, 1960
Commander of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (KCB/DCB)

Sources

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