ANDERSON, Edward Handfield

Killed in action 20 July, 1916, at Fromelles

Edward Handfield Anderson attended Melbourne Grammar School from 1901-1903. He was an active student, on the Rifle team and First XVIII. He became First Honorary Secretary of the  Old Melburnians' Football Team and was employed by the National Bank of Australasia, Melbourne, as a bank teller. He was 5'9" tall, with brown eyes and hair and, despite a severe knee injury, he made persistent efforts to enlist and was accepted on 9 July 1915.  Edward Anderson did his training with E Company, 8th Dep., at Flemington,  then after training was sent  on the 'Nestor'  to Tel el Kabir, Egypt, where he was attached to the 57th Battalion. The 57th embarked from Alexandria for Marseilles and joined the BEF on the Western Front at Fromelles. On July 18, 1916, the 57th Battalion was relieved by the 59th Battalion at Fromelles, retiring from the front. Edward Anderson was left behind to hand over stores and information to the incoming troops. He remained with them until the following day. On the afternoon of 19 July, the 59th battalion, along with other battalions, attacked the enemy trenches and it is reported that 2nd Lieutenant Anderson 'either in error or in the excitement of the attack went over with the 59th Battalion and nothing has been heard of him since.' Later information reported that he had made three successful trips into No Man's Land to bring back casualties. Though wounded twice he insisted on going out again and was last seen lying in No Man's Land. His colonel wrote, "He died as an officer and a very gallant gentleman". He was 31.

In a letter to his father, Sergeant Hamilton Avam stated "He was a man without fear and thought only of the comfort of others", while another letter sent to his brother William on 10 August 1916 from Lt. Col. H. Stewart said "Your brother was one of my more promising officers ... he died as an officer and a very gallant gentleman."

His name is listed on Panel 163 of the Roll of Honour.