Major John Thompson McKellar Anderson, (12 January 1918 – 5 October 1943) was a British Army officer and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Early life Anderson was educated at Stowe School where he was in Chatham House along with his close friend Leonard Cheshire, who was also awarded the VC, and at Trinity College, Cambridge. Second World War In 1943, during the Second World War, Anderson was an acting major in the 8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's), in Tunisia. He had been promoted from "lieutenant (temporary captain)" in which rank he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North Africa", but that award had not yet been published when the action took place for which he was awarded the VC, on 23 April 1943 at the Battle of Longstop Hill. The citation reads: He was killed in action at Termoli, Italy on 5 October 1943. He was buried at the Sangro River War Cemetery in Abruzzo, Italy. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum, Stirling Castle, Scotland. References External links British Army Officers 1939−1945 1918 births 1943 deaths Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders officers British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross British World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross British Army personnel killed in World War II Companions of the Distinguished Service Order People educated at Stowe School People from Hampstead Burials in Italy Military personnel from London