Jim Gordon (VC)

James Gordon
Corporal James Gordon in October 1941
Born	7 March 1909 Rockingham, Western Australia
Died	24 July 1986(1986-07-24) (aged 77) Repatriation General Hospital, Hollywood, Western Australia
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Australian Army
Years of service	1940–68
Rank	Warrant Officer Class II
Unit	2/31st Battalion
Battles/wars	Second World War Syria-Lebanon campaign Battle of the Litani River Battle of Jezzine Battle of Merdjayoun Battle of Damour New Guinea campaign Battle of Buna–Gona Salamaua–Lae campaign Finisterre Range campaign
Awards	Victoria Cross
Relations	William Gordon (father) Sir John Gordon (uncle)

Second World War

James Hannah Gordon, VC (7 March 1909 – 24 July 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 one of 20 Australians to receive the award for their actions during World War II, receiving it for deeds he performed while fighting against the Vichy French during the Syria-Lebanon campaign. He later served against the Japanese in the New Guinea campaign and after the war became a regular Army soldier, serving until 1968. He died in 1986, at the age of 77.

Gordon was born in Rockingham, Western Australia, one of eight children born to William Beattie Gordon, a farmer who served as a state parliamentarian between 1901 and 1911, and his wife Harriet Ann Scott. Growing up on farming properties near Moora and in Gingin, Western Australia, after completing his schooling, Gordon undertook various laboring jobs including droving, farming and working on the goldfields.

On 26 April 1940, during the early stages of the Second World War, Gordon volunteered for overseas service, lying about his age to join the Australian Imperial Force; falsely giving his middle name as Heather. Shortly afterwards, he married Myrtle Troy at St Edmund’s Church of England, Wembley Park, Perth, on 14 June 1940.

After a period of training, Gordon was sent to the Middle East in September 1940. He was later assigned to the 2/31st Battalion, an infantry unit formed in Queensland and Victoria, which was part of the 7th Australian Division, in February 1941. In June–July 1941, the unit was engaged in the Syria-Lebanon campaign against the Vichy French. During the Battle of Jezzine, on 10 July 1941, 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 with his bayonet. His action demoralised the enemy in this sector and the company advanced and took the position." He was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross for this action.