William James Gordon
Lance-Corporal, West Indian Regiment
- Register No.
- 463 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lance-Corporal (register: Corporal) all Lance-Corporals →
- Unit
- West Indian Regiment (register: West India Regiment) all West India Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 13 March 1892 on this day → all of 1892 →
- Conflict / campaign
- The Gambia
- London Gazette
- 9th December 1892 on this day → all of 1892 →
- Born
- 19th May, 1864 in Jamaica, West Indies
- Died
- 15th August, 1922 in Jamaica, West Indies
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
On 13th March, 1892 at Toniataba, West Africa, the major who was in command of the troops was superintending a party of 12 men who were trying, with a heavy beam, to break down the south gate of the town. Suddenly a number of musket-muzzles appeared through a double row of loopholes, some of them being only two or three-yards from the major's back and before he realised what had happened, Lance-Corporal Gordon threw himself between the major and the muskets, pushing that officer out of the way. At the same moment the NCO was shot through the lungs
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
GORDON, William James. (reg No. 463).
Lance-Corporal. West Indian Regiment.
London Gazetted on 9th December 1892.
Born on 19th May, 1864 in Jamaica, West Indies.
Died on 15th August, 1922 in Jamaica, West Indies.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: On 13th March, 1892 at Toniataba, West Africa, the major who was in command of the troops was superintending a party of 12 men who were trying, with a heavy beam, to break down the south gate of the town. Suddenly a number of musket-muzzles appeared through a double row of loopholes, some of them being only two or three-yards from the major's back and before he realised what had happened, Lance-Corporal Gordon threw himself between the major and the muskets, pushing that officer out of the way. At the same moment the NCO was shot through the lungs.
GORE-BROWN, Henry George. (See Reg. No.136)
Alf's notes on his life
GORE-BROWN, Henry George. (See Reg. No.136)
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 James Gordon by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.