| Anderson | William Campbell | | Major | ANDERSON, WILLIAM CAMPBELL, Major, was born 14 December 1868. He was educated at Harrow, and was gazetted to the 15th Hussars 29 March, 1890; became Captain 13 June, 1896. He served in West Africa, 1897-98, in the Northern Territories, Gold Coast; received the Medal with clasp. Captain Anderson retired 30 December 1899. He served in South Africa, 1900-2, as Commandant of an Imperial Yeomanry Battalion; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 7 May and 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's and the King's Medals with five clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: “William Campbell Anderson, Major, 5th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa”. The Insignia were presented to him by the King 29 October 1901. He was given the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel 9 October 1902, and was Honorary Colonel, 3rd Battalion Scottish Rifles. Colonel Anderson was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He married, in 1894, Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Barnes. Sir A Conan Doyle, in 'The Great Boer War' (pages 533-535), describes the gallant fight against overwhelming odds put up by Colonel Anderson when attacked by Delarey on 25 February 1902. Von Donop had sent in an empty convoy from Wolmannstad to Klerksdorp, and the journey was nearly over and the detachment of Paget's Horse had ridden on into the town, when Delarey made his appearance. “The escort of the convoy consisted of the 5th Imperial Yeomanry, sixty of Paget's Horse, three companies of the ubiquitous Northumberland Fusiliers, two guns of the 4th RFA, and a pom-pom, amounting in all to 630 men. Colonel Anderson was in command”. Nothing could have averted disaster, and it was well that some of the escort had ridden on, and were not there to share it. When the first turmoil of the attack was over, the wagons had been re-marshalled and rearranged. “It was Colonel Andersen's hope that he might be able to send them on into safety while he with the escort covered their retreat. His plan was certainly the best one, and if it did not succeed it was due to nothing which he could avert, but to the nature of the ground and the gallantry of the enemy. ... A small force sallied out from Klerksdorp in the hope of helping Anderson, but on reaching the Jagd Drift it was found that the fighting was over and that the field was in possession of the Boers”.
DSO, E&W Africa (1) 1897-8 (Capt & A/Ins 15 Huss), QSA (3) CC OFS Trans (Lt Col DSO IY), KSA (2), 1914-15 Star (Lt Col Glos), BWM, Victory Medal, 1911 Coronation. Christies 1988 est £550-600. Dixon 1989 £950. Neate 1994 £1595. Glendinings 1995 (no sale).
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | 5th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry |
