“I do not order you to fight. I order you to die.” This is perhaps one of the most famous military orders ever given and is attributed to Turkish commander, Mustapha Kemel.
It was given at Gallipoli as Australian and New Zealand soldiers had begun to gain ground after the beach landings at ANZAC cove on April 25, 1915.
And it was against these newly determined – and reinforced – Turkish defenders that WA’s 11th Battalion was pitched and in the thick of the fierce firefights that followed, was former Busselton bank clerk, Private Dudley Anderson, a specialist machine gunner.
At 4:30 that morning, two companies of the 11th landed at Anzac Cove around Ari Burnu Knoll on the left flank of the first wave of landings.
Despite heavy machine-gun and small arms fire, the battalion stormed the cliffs and began taking ridges, forcing the Turks to pull back.
The remainder of the battalion landed further north and was also met by heavy machine-gun fire from an enemy being bolstered by reinforcements.
Anderson was born in 1895 in Talbot, Victoria, son of Alfred and Jane Anderson of Busselton.
He enlisted on 2 September 1914 at Blackboy Hill and embarked with the 11th Bn from Albany, Western Australia 2 November 1914 on board HMAT Ascanius.
This was the first troop convoy to leave Albany.
During his recruit training he was allocated to the machine gun section.
Because of their rate of fire and their ability to decimate an enemy, the men operating the weapons became a prized target.
Some records describe him as a signaller with the section but it is likely that he was cross-trained to fulfill all the roles.
At some point in the fighting on April 25, Pte Anderson was wounded, at least once in the shoulder. He was later evacuated.
Pte Anderson died just over a month later, on 31 May, of septicemia from gunshot wounds and is buried at the Chatby War Memorial Cemetery (Row H, Grave No 9), Egypt.
His death did not go unnoticed back home as reported in an article in the South Western Times on June 11, 1915:
“Quite a gloom was cast over Busselton on Tuesday, when information was received that Private Dudley M. Anderson had died in Egypt from wounds received at the Dardanelles.
Information had previously been received that he was seriously ill but this was followed by a private advice from a lady in Alexandria that Private Anderson had been wounded in the shoulder, and was progressing so favorably that he expected to soon be convalescent.
From the scanty information available it appears that he was wounded on April 25th and subsequently removed to the Bombay Presidency General Hospital, San Stefano, Alexandria where he died on May 31st.
‘Dud’ as he was known to everyone in Busselton, and to hundreds in the outlying districts, was born at Talbot, Victoria and was nearly 21 years of age, being brought to Busselton as an infant in arms.
Receiving an education at State and Convent Schools, he showed considerable promise, and afterwards entered the local Post Office.
Here he made rapid advancement, and passing examinations in telegraphy with credit was stationed at Wagin and Kattaning.
Later an opportunity offered to join the National Bank staff, which he seized, and was appointed to a position at Wickepin from which he enlisted with the First Australian Contingent.
Prior to leaving, and while on a farewell visit to his people, Private Anderson, in company with Private Vernon Bovell, was given a public send off and presented with a small token of esteem by the townspeople.
He was a fine young manly young fellow, a good sport and a dutiful son.
Much sympathy has been expressed with Mr. and Mrs. Anderson and family in their bereavement.”
His brothers Talbot Reginald Anderson, Victor Rudolph Busselton Anderson, Alfred Ernest Anderson and Raymond Charles Anderson all saw duty in WW1 and all survived.
Acknowledgements and thanks:
Local resident, Joy Dalgleish, who researched the names on the Busselton Cenotaph.
Busselton Public Library for its help and access to records.
