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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 541

A 'Tyneside Irish- Attack at Rouex' casualty's pair awarded to Private R. D. Anderson, 26rd (3rd Tyneside Irish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, late 5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, who was killed in action on 28 April 1917

British War and Victory Medals (240339 Pte. R. D. Anderson. W. York. R.), good very fine (2)

Richard Dixon Anderson was born at Bradford, Yorkshire in 1895, the son of Joshua and Ada Anderson of 43 Thorncliffe Road, Bradford. His father worked as a Locomotive Engine Driver however the younger Anderson did not follow him into this area, instead working as an Assistant Gold Blocker.

On the outbreak of the Great War Anderson was attested for the 2/5th (Reserve) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. Posted from here to the 26th (3rd Tyneside Irish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers with the new service number 260032 he entered the war in France at some stage after 1916.

Still with this unit in Spring 1917 Anderson went into action with them at the Battle of Arras on 9-10 April. Initially stationed in reserve they advanced to consolidate the gains of 24th and 25th Battalions, taking the Blue line. During the night orders were given to take the Brown line with the 26th Battalion advancing over the Arras-Bailleul Road and Paris Railway line.

Despite high losses- 28 killed and 72 wounded- Anderson survived the fighting and joined the Battalion in withdrawing from the line in the wake of the fighting. Returning to the line later in the month the Brigade was tasked with seizing the village of Rouex, in which the Germans still held the Chateau and Chemical works.

Both position were riddled with snipers and dug in machine gun nest, making the assault a battle of attrition. A platoon under Lieutenant Shackleton attempted to clear the position but forced back with heavy losses, including the Lieutenant himself. The Battalion found itself under fire from the rear and was forced to clear houses behind them of snipers before digging in before the town.

The 26th Battalion lost 28 men dead, 166 wounded and 54 missing in the period between 23-30 April. Anderson was one of those killed in the fighting on 28 April and is commemorated upon the Arras Memorial. It should be noted that he is listed as serving with the 1st/5th Battalion by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. However the Northumbrian Fusilier's Index, Registry of Effects and Medal Roll all state 26th Battalion. This is consistent with his date of death and the drafts received by the 26th Battalion before the Battle of Arras as well as his place of memorial; sold together with copied research including registry of effects entry, Northumberland Fusiliers Index and census data as well as an archive of original material comprising:

i)
Named boxes of issue for the Great War pair.

ii)
Slips of issue for the Great War pair.

iii)
Condolence slip.

iv)
Named Memorial Scroll.

v)
Named City of Bradford Memorial Scroll.

vi)

Card Document tube (named and addressed, naming faded and all but illegible).

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Sold for
£95

Starting price
£80