Gordon, James Heather

Victoria Cross

Date of birth:: March 7th, 1909 (Rockingham, Australia)
Date of death:: July 24th, 1986 (Perth, Australia)
Service number:: WX.2437
Nationality:: Australian

Biography

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Victoria Cross (VC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Private
Unit:: 2/31st Battalion, Australian Army
Awarded on:: October 28th, 1941

Citation:
On the night of 10th July 1941, during an attack on "Greenhill", north of Djezzine, Private Gordon's Company came under intense machine-gun fire and its advance was held up. Movement even by single individuals became almost impossible, one officer and two men being killed and two men wounded in the effort to advance.
The enemy machine gun position, which had brought the two forward platoons to a halt, was fortified and completely covered the area occupied by our forces. Private Gordon, on his own initiative, crept forward over an area swept by machine gun and grenade fire and succeeded in approaching close to the post: he then charged it from the front and killed the four machine gunners with the bayonet. His action completely demoralised the enemy in this sector and the Company advanced and took the position.
During the remainder of the action that night and on the following day Private Gordon, who has throughout the operations shown a high degree of courage, fought with equal gallantry."

Later promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer II.
James Heather Gordon, Karrakatta Crematorium, Perth, Australia.