James Hannah Gordon, VC (7 March 1909 – 24 July 1986) was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest 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 the Second World War, 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 soldier in the Australian Regular Army, serving until 1968. He died in 1986, at the age of 77.
James Gordon
Corporal James Gordon in October 1941
Born
(1909-03-07)7 March 1909 Rockingham, Western Australia
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.[1]
Military careeredit
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.[1]
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.[1] 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.[2]
On 12 July 1942, a plaque in his honour was unveiled in front of the Gingin Post Office; it was later moved to the town's war memorial.[3] Later that year a portrait of Jim Gordon painted in 1941 by artist William Dargie won the 1942 Archibald Prize, Australia's most famous portrait prize.[1]
Gordon returned to Australia in March 1942 with the rank of corporal. Due to malaria he did not rejoin the 2/31st Battalion in Papua until November 1942. In July 1943, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. After seeing further action during the capture of Lae and the subsequent advance through the Markham and Ramu Valleys in New Guinea, he returned to Australia in January 1944. He was hospitalised due to malaria again, and was later reassigned to administrative duties. He remained in the Army until 17 February 1947.[1]
After discharge, Gordon briefly worked for the state electricity commission, before rejoining the army as a regular soldier on 2 December 1947, achieving the rank of Warrant Officer Class II in 1950. He continued service until 1 August 1968 when he retired; after this, he was employed at Campbell Barracks (Western Australia), Swanbourne, as a groundsman until 1975.[1]
Later lifeedit
Gordon died on 19 July 1986 at the Repatriation General Hospital, Hollywood. After being cremated, he received full military honours.[1] The Jim Gordon Ward at the former Repatriation General Hospital has been named in his honour.[4] His wife, Myrtle, and one son survived him.[1]
^"James Gordon V.C." Monument Australia. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
^. Hollywood Private Hospital. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
Referencesedit
Horner, Jolyon (2007). Gordon, James Hannah (Jim) (1907–1986). pp. 448–449. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
Laffin, John (2002) [1994]. Forever Forward: The History of the 2/31st Australian Infantry Battalion, 2nd AIF, 1940–45. Loftus, Australia: Australian Military History Publications. ISBN1-876439-33-5.
Udell, Hazel (1980). A History of Gingin: 1830 to 1960. Gingin, Western Australia. ISBN0-9596765-1-1.
1942 Archibald Prize winner, William Dargie's 1941 portrait of Jim Gordon.
James Heather Gordon, Who's Who in Australia, p 356, 1980 Edition, compiled and edited by W.J. Draper, Melbourne, Australia
Transcript of recommendation for VC
Dargie painting Gordon's portrait
Gordon and the completed picture
Right: Sgt Jim Gordon, VC of Gin Gin, WA. 1943-10-01. New Guinea. Lae
November 23, 2023
gordon, australian, soldier, james, hannah, gordon, march, 1909, july, 1986, australian, recipient, victoria, cross, highest, award, gallantry, face, enemy, that, awarded, british, commonwealth, forces, gordon, australians, receive, award, their, actions, duri. James Hannah Gordon VC 7 March 1909 24 July 1986 was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross the highest 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 the Second World War 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 soldier in the Australian Regular Army serving until 1968 He died in 1986 at the age of 77 James GordonCorporal James Gordon in October 1941Born 1909 03 07 7 March 1909Rockingham Western AustraliaDied24 July 1986 1986 07 24 aged 77 Repatriation General Hospital Hollywood Western AustraliaAllegianceAustraliaService wbr branchAustralian ArmyYears of service1940 1968RankWarrant Officer Class IIUnit2 31st BattalionBattles warsSecond 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 campaignAwardsVictoria CrossRelationsWilliam Gordon father Sir John Gordon uncle Contents 1 Early life 2 Military career 3 Later life 4 Notes 5 References 6 External linksEarly life editGordon 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 1 Military career editOn 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 1 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 1 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 2 On 12 July 1942 a plaque in his honour was unveiled in front of the Gingin Post Office it was later moved to the town s war memorial 3 Later that year a portrait of Jim Gordon painted in 1941 by artist William Dargie won the 1942 Archibald Prize Australia s most famous portrait prize 1 Gordon returned to Australia in March 1942 with the rank of corporal Due to malaria he did not rejoin the 2 31st Battalion in Papua until November 1942 In July 1943 he was promoted to the rank of sergeant After seeing further action during the capture of Lae and the subsequent advance through the Markham and Ramu Valleys in New Guinea he returned to Australia in January 1944 He was hospitalised due to malaria again and was later reassigned to administrative duties He remained in the Army until 17 February 1947 1 After discharge Gordon briefly worked for the state electricity commission before rejoining the army as a regular soldier on 2 December 1947 achieving the rank of Warrant Officer Class II in 1950 He continued service until 1 August 1968 when he retired after this he was employed at Campbell Barracks Western Australia Swanbourne as a groundsman until 1975 1 Later life editGordon died on 19 July 1986 at the Repatriation General Hospital Hollywood After being cremated he received full military honours 1 The Jim Gordon Ward at the former Repatriation General Hospital has been named in his honour 4 His wife Myrtle and one son survived him 1 Notes edit a b c d e f g h Horner 2007 pp 448 449 No 35325 The London Gazette Supplement 24 October 1941 p 6237 James Gordon V C Monument Australia Retrieved 18 June 2015 Our Hospital A History of Caring Hollywood Private Hospital Archived from the original on 19 December 2013 Retrieved 18 June 2015 References editHorner Jolyon 2007 Gordon James Hannah Jim 1907 1986 pp 448 449 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a work ignored help Laffin John 2002 1994 Forever Forward The History of the 2 31st Australian Infantry Battalion 2nd AIF 1940 45 Loftus Australia Australian Military History Publications ISBN 1 876439 33 5 Udell Hazel 1980 A History of Gingin 1830 to 1960 Gingin Western Australia ISBN 0 9596765 1 1 External links editPrivate J H Gordon in The Art of War exhibition at the UK National Archives 1942 Archibald Prize winner William Dargie s 1941 portrait of Jim Gordon James Heather Gordon Who s Who in Australia p 356 1980 Edition compiled and edited by W J Draper Melbourne Australia Transcript of recommendation for VC nbsp Dargie painting Gordon s portrait nbsp Gordon and the completed picture nbsp Right Sgt Jim Gordon VC of Gin Gin WA 1943 10 01 New Guinea Lae Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jim Gordon Australian soldier amp oldid 1168146344, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
