William Gosling (VC)

Major William Gosling VC

William Gosling was born on 15 August 1892 at Wanborough, near Swindon, Wiltshire. He was the son of Albert and Elizabeth Gosling, a farming family, and was educated locally at Wanborough Village School. After his father’s death, the family moved to Wroughton, where Gosling continued working in farming before seeking work overseas. As a young man he went to Canada, where he worked on grain silos, on the Canadian Pacific Railway, and as a lumberjack before returning to Britain after the outbreak of the First World War.

Gosling had earlier served in the Territorial Force, and on returning from Canada he joined the 3rd Wessex Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He went to France on 6 May 1915, serving with artillery attached to the 51st Highland Division. By April 1917 he was a Sergeant in charge of a heavy trench mortar detachment near Arras.

On 5 April 1917, during operations near Arras, France, a bomb fired from Gosling’s heavy trench mortar failed to clear the position properly and fell only about ten yards from the mortar. The bomb’s nose buried itself in the ground, leaving the entire detachment in immediate danger. Gosling left cover, went to the bomb, lifted its nose, unscrewed the fuze, and threw the fuze away. It exploded almost immediately. His quick action saved the lives of the men around him. For this act of conspicuous bravery, Sergeant William Gosling was awarded the Victoria Cross.

His Victoria Cross was presented by King George V outside Buckingham Palace on 21 July 1917. Gosling continued serving during the war and was later appointed Battery Sergeant Major before being discharged in 1919.

After the war, Gosling returned to civilian life in Wiltshire. He took up the tenancy of Summerhouse Farm, Wroughton, and worked as a dairy farmer for the rest of his life. He was active in local public life, serving as a parish councillor and as Vice-President of the Wroughton branch of the Royal British Legion. During the Second World War he again served, this time in the Home Guard, rising to the rank of Major.

Major William Gosling VC died at Wroughton on 12 February 1945, aged 52. He was buried in the churchyard extension of St John and St Helen, Wroughton. His medals are recorded as being held privately.

Citation summary

For most conspicuous bravery near Arras on 5 April 1917, when a trench mortar bomb fell close to his detachment, Sergeant Gosling ran forward, lifted the nose of the bomb, removed the fuze, and threw it aside moments before it exploded, thereby saving the lives of his detachment.

Awards

Victoria Cross 1914–15 Star British War Medal 1914–20 Victory Medal 1914–19 King George VI Coronation Medal 1937