Michael Anderson (cricketer, born 1916)

Michael Herbert Anderson (11 December 1916 – 10 May 1940) was an English cricketer who played four first-class cricket matches for Cambridge University Cricket Club and Free Foresters.[1] His highest score of 60 came when playing for the Free Foresters in the match against the university side.[2] He also played two Minor Counties Championship matches for Hertfordshire County Cricket Club.[3]

Michael Anderson
Personal information
Full name
Michael Hebert Anderson
Born(1916-12-11)11 December 1916
Devonport, Devon, England
Died10 May 1940(1940-05-10) (aged 23)
near Hoogvliet, Netherlands
BattingRight-handed
RoleWicket-keeper
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1937Cambridge University
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 4
Runs scored 92
Batting average 18.40
100s/50s 0/1
Top score 60
Catches/stumpings 3/3
Source: Cricinfo, 12 August 2008

Military career and death

Anderson joined the Royal Air Force in 1936 and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer. He was stationed with No. 600 Squadron RAF at RAF Manston in Kent flying Bristol Blenheim as fighters. On 10 May 1940, Anderson and his air gunner, Leading Aircraftman Herbert Hawkins (but not the navigator), were assigned to a mission to bombard Waalhaven airfield near Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The six Blenheims of B Flight involved in the mission were ambushed whilst returning to base by twelve Messerschmitt Bf 110s near Spijkenisse. Hawkins shot down one of the attacking aircraft, but the attack was too much for the Blenheims. Anderson and Hawkins' aircraft was chased by a single Bf 110, and one of the engines burst due to German fire above Hoogvliet. Forced to attempt a crash landing, Anderson crashed the plane into a field near Hoogvliet. Both Anderson and Hawkins were killed in the landing, Anderson being decapitated. Anderson and Hawkins are buried in Spijkenisse Old General Cemetery.[4][5][6][7][8]

References
  1. "First-class Batting and Fielding For Each Team by Michael Anderson". Cricket archive. 12 August 2008.
  2. "Cambridge University v Free Foresters". Cricket archive. 12 August 2008.
  3. "Minor Counties Championship Matches played by Michael Anderson (2)". Cricket archive. 12 August 2008.
  4. McCrery, Nigel. The Coming Storm. Pen and Sword. p. 3.
  5. "Lieutenant Michael Herbert Anderson". Find a Grave. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  6. "1940-05-10 Blenheim Mk IF". www.sites.google.com/site/wo2vpr1. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  7. "Bombardment of Waalhaven airfield, 10 May 1940". tracesofwar.com. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  8. Accident description for Blenheim L1515 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 23 March 2020.


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