William Eagleson Gordon

Captain, 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders

VC
Register No.
462 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
Rank
Captain all Captains →
Unit
1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders all Gordon Highlanders VCs →
Date of action
11 July 1900 on this day → all of 1900 →
Conflict / campaign
Second Boer War
London Gazette
28th September, 1900 on this day → all of 1900 →
Born
4th May 1866 at Bridge of Allan, Stirling Shire, Scotland
Died
10th March 1941 in London
Memorial / grave
not known

Digest of citation

On 11th July, 1900 near Krugersdorp, South Africa, a party of men had succeeded in dragging an artillery waggon under cover when its horses were unable to do so, because of heavy and accurate firing by the enemy. Captain Gordon then went out alone to the nearest gun under heavy fire and then having fastened a drag rope to the gun, he called for volunteers to come and help. While the gun was being moved, however, a captain * and three men were hit, and to save further casualties, Captain Gordon ordered the remainder of the party to take cover, and having seen them wounded safely away, he himself retired

From Alf Askin's research notes

Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.

GORDON, William Eagleson . (reg No. 462).

Captain. 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders.

London Gazetted on 28th September, 1900.

Born on 4th May 1866 at Bridge of Allan, Stirling Shire, Scotland.

Died on 10th March 1941 in London.

Memorial not known.

Digest of Citation reads: On 11th July, 1900 near Krugersdorp, South Africa, a party of men had succeeded in dragging an artillery waggon under cover when its horses were unable to do so, because of heavy and accurate firing by the enemy. Captain Gordon then went out alone to the nearest gun under heavy fire and then having fastened a drag rope to the gun, he called for volunteers to come and help. While the gun was being moved, however, a captain * and three men were hit, and to save further casualties, Captain Gordon ordered the remainder of the party to take cover, and having seen them wounded safely away, he himself retired.

* D.R. Younger. (reg No. 1349).

Additional information:. Colonel Gordon was also a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Additional information

Colonel Gordon was also a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

* D.R. Younger. (reg No. 1349).

Visit the grave or memorial

Alf recorded the memorial as: not known

Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.

Research this recipient further

Would you like to honour William Eagleson Gordon by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.