Jim Gordon (Australian soldier)

Charged a machine-gun post and cleared it using his bayonet.

James Hannah Gordon grew up in rural Western Australia, the son of farmer and former parliamentarian William Beattie Gordon. He attended local schools and worked as a drover, farm worker and goldfields battery worker. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in April 1940, using Heather as his middle name, and married Myrtle Anzac Troy that June.

Gordon reached the Middle East in 1940 and joined the 2/31st Battalion early in 1941. During the Syrian campaign against Vichy French forces, his company attacked high ground north of Jezzine on the night of 9–10 July. A machine-gun post stopped the advance and inflicted casualties. Gordon crawled forward through bullets and grenades, then charged the position and killed its four crewmen with his bayonet. His action allowed the company to continue. He received the Victoria Cross.

Returning to Australia in March 1942, Gordon later served in Papua around Gona. Malaria repeatedly interrupted his service. Promoted sergeant in 1943, he returned to New Guinea and led another charge against a machine-gun position during the advance on Lae. He also took part in operations in the Markham and Ramu valleys before returning home in 1944.

Discharged in February 1947, he briefly worked for the State Electricity Commission before rejoining the Regular Army that December. As an instructor of cadets in Western Australia he became a warrant officer class two. He retired from the Army in August 1968 and then worked as a groundsman at Campbell Barracks until 1975.

Gordon enjoyed gardening, fishing, cricket and Australian Rules football. He died in Perth in July 1986, survived by his wife and son, and was cremated with military honours.