The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (13254) Private David Vallance Kerr Anderson, 12th Field Ambulance, A.I.F, First World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by , the story for this day was on (13254) Private David Vallance Kerr Anderson, 12th Field Ambulance, A.I.F, First World War.

13254 Private David Vallance Kerr Anderson, 12th Field Ambulance, A.I.F
DOW 1 October 1917

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private David Vallance Kerr Anderson.

David Anderson was born on 15 February 1893 in Buninyong, Victoria. He was the son of Francis and Catherine Anderson, who ran a local produce business. Anderson had two brothers, Willie and Robert, and two sisters, Catherine and Mary. Anderson was a talented sportsman, playing in both the local cricket team and the local football team.

He was also academically minded, receiving his education at Ballarat College and later at Scotch College in Melbourne where he received top grades in all of his subjects. On completion of his schooling, Anderson attended Ormond College at Melbourne University where he studied law. The beginning of his academic career was marred by tragedy, when his parents and both of his brothers succumbed to illnesses and died in short succession. Anderson took a break from his study during that period of grief, but returned to Ormond to resume his studies when war broke out in 1914.

Andersen enlisted with his good friend James Agnew on 31 July 1915. The pair were assigned to the Army Medical Corps as special reinforcements and embarked from Melbourne in March 1916 on board the hospital ship Karoola.

Andersen reached Egypt in late April, when the focus of the war was shifting to the Western Front. He and Agnew transferred to the 12th Field Ambulance and became stretcher bearers. In June, Andersen sailed from Alexandria to Marseilles in France where he joined his unit on the Western Front. Anderson first saw action with his unit at Pozieres in August 1916.

The enemy held the high ground surrounding the village of Pozieres which gave them a distinct advantage, allowing them to launch devastating attacks on allied lines. The Field Ambulance played a key role in the front lines. After more than 19 separate attacks and 42 days of fighting, casualties amounted to more than 22,000. This was Private Anderson’s introduction to the Western Front.

In 1917, Anderson’s unit saw service at Bullecourt and Messines where allied casualties were similarly appalling. By September, plans were underway to attack German defensive positions at Polygon Wood.

Polygon Wood was a significant landmark on the Ypres Salient and an essential part of allied attempts to take Passchendaele Ridge. By 1917 the wood had been reduced to burnt stumps. German forces had fortified the area with concrete blockhouses, barbed wire and an observation post making Polygon Wood a treacherous target for the advancing troops.

The attack was launched on 26 September. Despite heavy resistance, allied troops were able to secure their objectives and consolidate the line within days. This success was not without cost, however. By the end of the battle, allied casualties amounted to 20,000 killed, wounded or taken prisoner. It was during this offensive that Anderson was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field when he rescued a truck full of wounded soldiers from a cloud of poison gas.

As the fighting continued, Anderson was carrying wounded troops from the battlefield behind the lines near Ypres. On 29 September he was returning from a dressing station with his friend, Private Agnew, when a shell burst on their path, killing Agnew instantly, and severely wounding Private Anderson.

Anderson was taken by ambulance to the 10th Casualty Clearing Station, where little could be done for him. He was tended to for several days, until he succumbed to his injuries and died of wounds on the 1st of October 1918. He was 24 years old.

Anderson’s remaining family commemorated the young private in the Melbourne Argus, saying, “He made the great sacrifice saving others. Greater love hath no man than this.”

Private David Anderson was buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium, nearby to his mate, Private James Agnew. He now lies under the words of his bereft sisters, “In proud and loving memory of our only brother.”

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among almost 62,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private David Vallance Kerr Anderson, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meghan Adams
Researcher, Military History Section