James Heather Gordon

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James Heather Gordon VC (March 7, 1909–July 24, 1986) 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.

Gordon was born in Rockingham, Western Australia and grew up in Gingin, Western Australia. "Jim" married Myrtle Troy before enlisting in the Australian Army in 1940.

Gordon was a Private in the Australian Military Forces during World War II. He was a member of the 7th Australian Division's 2/31st Battalion (a unit formed in Queensland and Victoria). In 1941, Gordon fought in the Syria-Lebanon campaign. It was during the Battle of Jezzine that the following deed took place for which Gordon was awarded the VC:

On 10 July 1941 at Jezzine, Syria, Private Gordon's company was held up by intense machine-gun and grenade fire from Vichy French forces, but on his own initiative, he crept forward alone and succeeded in getting close to the machine-gun post. He then charged it and killed the four machine-gunners. His action completely demoralized the enemy in this sector and the company advanced and took the position.

Gordon later achieved the rank of Warrant Officer II. He returned home in April 1942.

On 12 July, a plaque in his honour was unveiled in front of the Gingin post office. Later that year a painting of Jim Gordon by artist William Dargie won the Archibald Prize, Australia's most famous portrait prize.

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[edit] References

  • Udell, Hazel (1980). A History of Gingin: 1830 to 1960. Gingin, Western Australia. ISBN 0-9596765-1-1. 

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