Argylles VC enquiry.

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by steven anderson, Nov 23, 2008.

  1. steven anderson

    steven anderson Junior Member

    does anyone have information on major jack anderson 8th argylls who was awarded the vc for his bravery at longstop hill , north africa ,he was my grandfathers oc . thanks
     
  2. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

  3. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Am presuming this is your man?

    [​IMG]
     
  4. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Steven,

    Welcome to the forum and a great photo from Paul of a heroes headstone.

    Tom
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  6. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Born in the Hampstead District of London, he was a lieutenant (with the temporary rank of captain, acting major) with the 8th Battalion of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (Prince Louise's Own) Regiment when he performed the deeds for which he was awarded the VC. From his citation: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on Longstop Hill, Tunisia, on 23rd April, 1943. Over a period of five hours Major Anderson led the attack through intense enemy machine-gun and mortar fire. As leading Company Commander, he led the assault on the battalion's first objective, in daylight, over a long expanse of open sloping hillside and most of the time without the effective cover of smoke. Very heavy casualties were incurred, including the Commanding Officer killed and all other Company Commanders killed or wounded. Major Anderson re-organised the battalion, led the assault on the second objective, and, despite a leg wound, captured Longstop Hill with a total force of only four officers and less than forty other ranks. He personally led attacks on at least three enemy machine-gun positions and in every case was the first man in the enemy pits; he also led a successful attack on an enemy mortar position of four mortars defended by over thirty of the enemy. Major Anderson's force on the hill captured about 200 prisoners and killed many more during the attack. It is largely due to this officer's bravery and daring that Longstop Hill was captured, and it was the inspiration of his example that encouraged leaderless men to continue the advance." He was killed in action later at Termoli, Italy. His VC medal is in the collection of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Museum, Stirling, Scotland.
    Regards
    Verrieres
     

    Attached Files:

  7. Philippa

    Philippa Junior Member

    Steven

    Just spotted your enquiry. I have attached a short account of Jack's life (what I have been able to find out so far) that I wrote following a request from the Bagshot Parish Magazine.

    You may spot I am a bit of a novice at this, so please excuse any errors and please feel free to put me right.

    View attachment Jack_Anderson[1].pdf .pdf]

    :D:D

    Looking forward to hearing about your Grandfather

    all the best

    Philippa
     
  8. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Philippa,

    That is a great writeup about an extremely brave man.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  9. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Phillipa -
    Your write up on your cousin Jack is much more detailed and concise than far too many books I been forced to read to gain some perspective on any action and I thank you for that.

    The lateness of the authority to withdraw from the brickworks no doubt led to Jack's death and was invariably put down to bad staff work which we were always plaqued with mostly through the Italian campaign - so much that Alexander had to intevene in a dispute at his own headquarters at Caserta.

    There was trouble between the British and American staffers about open windows as opposed to air conditioning - so the problem was discovered that all of them were arriving after nine am and later - then a fight would break out with the British wanting the windows open - the Americans relying on the air conditioning.

    So the Solomon type of order was issued by Alex to the effect that whoever was first into the offices in the a.m. - had the windows to his liking !

    It was not unusual to see people arriving by 6 a.m - and while there - might as well do some work - which improved no end !
    Cheers - and thanks again for a worthwhile task !
     
  10. steven anderson

    steven anderson Junior Member

    Welcome Steven,
    I moved your post to it's own thread so it doesn't get buried in the VC thread.
    Is this the right man?
    http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/puandejo.htm

    Cheers,
    Adam.
    sorry its took me a year to reply , however i am grateful for this , regards steven
     
  11. Educator

    Educator Junior Member

    Phillippa

    I have just come across this thread. I thought you might like to know that I am in the process of writing a book which includes a detailed account of the 2nd battle of Longstop Hill. You might like to know that Anderson wrote his own account of the battle in a 2 page memoir which is included in the war Diaries for the 8th ASH.
    He also wrote an account of a patrol action for which he was awarded his DSO although many felt that this should have been a VC.

    My research has uncovered a no of stories about him - one of them is how he lead a delegation of Coy Cdrs to his new CO (Lt Col Macnabb - killed at Longstop)to ensure the Battalion got a brief rest before Longstop. All the accounts show he was higly regarded by all who came into contact with him. His death at termoli at the age of 26 was a great blow to tthe Argylls and 36 Infantry brigade. You should be justly proud he is a relative.

    If I can help with your research in any way please contact me via this site. Any information you may have about him would be welcome. FYI I live about 60 miles from bristol.

    Ian
     
  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Ian and welcome to the forum,

    You may want to PM Philipa as she hasn't visited the forum for over a year.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  13. adelphi08

    adelphi08 Junior Member

    My dad was at Longstop with the 8th Argylls. Jack Anderson was his commanding officer I believe.
     
  14. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Adelphi
    Anderson was a compamy commander at Longstop - Lt Col McNabb was C.O. and was killed there - he had been Chief of Staff to Lt. Gen. Anderson the 1st Army G.O.C and had ran afoul of both Alexander and Monty and so reverted to C.O. of the Argylls...
    Cheers
     
  15. MyOldDad

    MyOldDad Senior Member

    My dad was at Longstop with the 8th Argylls. Jack Anderson was his commanding officer I believe.

    Hello again Kenny,
    It's a small world!
    I remember your dad with great respect.
    Kind regards,
    Tom.
     
  16. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    From The Sphere 17 July 1943
    The Sphere 17 July 1943, 1.jpg
    The Sphere 17 July 1943, 2.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    Owen and Tricky Dicky like this.

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