Charles Anderson VC Rest Area, Federal Hwy, NSW, Australia - Highway Rest Areas on Waymarking.com

The Rembrance Driveway is a tribute from those who remember yesterday and have faith in tomorrow. It commemorates those who served in the Australian Armed Forces in World War II and subsequent wars or who have served since then in defence of the nation's interests, in operational theatres around the world.

During the mid-1990s the Committee decided to develop the Victoria Cross Rest Areas and Memorial Parks. These honour the 24 Australian World War II and Vietnam War Victoria Cross winners. Because of their acts of valour and extraordinary personal courage they have been selected by name to represent all the servicemen and women commemorated. It is hoped to complete 21 of these memorials by 2007 using Committee funds and with funding from the Federal, NSW and ACT Governments.

Citation for VC:

Charles Anderson VC

NX 12595 Lieutenant Colonel Charles Groves Wright ANDERSON MC
2/19th Australian Infantry Battalion, A.I.F.
18th to 22nd January 1942 in Malaya

"During operations in Malaya from 18th to 22nd January, 1942, Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson, in command of a small force, was sent to restore a vital position and to assist a Brigade. His force destroyed ten enemy tanks. When later cut off, he defeated persistent attacks on his position from air and ground forces and forced his way through the enemy line to a depth of fifteen miles. He was again surrounded and subjected to very heavy, frequent attacks, resulting in severe casualties to his force. He personally led an attack with great gallantry on the enemy, who were holding a bridge, and succeeded in destroying four guns. Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson, throughout all this fighting, protected his wounded and refused to leave them. He obtained news by wireless of the enemy position and attempted to fight his way back through eight miles of enemy occupied country. This proved to be impossible, and the enemy were holding too strong a position for any attempt to be made to relieve him. On 19th January, Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson was ordered to destroy his equipment and make his way as best he could around the enemy position.

Throughout the fighting, which lasted for four days, he set a magnificent example of brave leadership, determination and outstanding courage. He not only showed fighting qualities of very high order but throughout exposed himself to danger without any regard for his own personal safety".
[London Gazette: 13th February 1942]

Charles Groves Wright ANDERSON was born in Cape Town, South Africa on 12 February 1897. After his war service he served as Federal member for Hume during the period 1949 to 1951 and 1955 to 1961. He died on 11 November 1988.

Highway Number: 23 Common Name for the Highway: Federal Highway Highway Access Direction: Either Direction Rest Area Name: Charles Anderson VC Rest Area Facilities: Picnic Tables Public Toilets Services: Nil Special Features: Memorial for Victoria Cross recipient Lieutenant Colonel Charles Anderson MC. WiFi: no

Visit Instructions:
Since the cleanliness of a facility can change over time, log entries can include your impression of the cleanliness of the facility.

Log entries can also include additional pictures of the facility and/or associated special features (e.g., vistas or historical markers) and facilities or services not mentioned in the original description.

The same prohibitions from new entries apply to log entries.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   04/06/2021 Whitepaws9 visited it 05/30/2016 Grahame Cookie visited it 10/21/2012 Rapidlywild visited it 06/12/2007 Punga and Paua visited it

View all visits/logs