Bernard Sidney Gordon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bernard Sidney Gordon VC, MM (16 August 1891 - 19 October 1963) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was 27 years old, and a lance-corporal in the 41st Battalion (Queensland), Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 26/27 August 1918, east of Bray, France, after leading his section through heavy shellfire, Lance-Corporal Gordon, single-handed, attacked an enemy machine-gun, killed the gunner and captured the post, which contained an officer and 10 men. He then cleared more trenches and captured a further 51 prisoners, including one officer, and six machine-guns.
[edit] Sale of his medal
Gordon's Victoria Cross was sold at auction in Sydney on November 28 2006 for $AU 486,000. The medal was sold by Gordon's daughter, who needed money to keep the family farm in operation. The VC was purchased by an agent of media tycooon Kerry Stokes, the same man who paid a world record price of $AU 1,214,500 in July 2006 for the VC awarded to Alfred Shout.
[edit] External links
- GORDON B.S.
- Lance Corporal B.S. Gordon (photo, brief details)
