William James Gordon

He pushed his officer clear and took the round in his place.

William James Gordon was born in Jamaica on 19 May 1864 and enlisted in the 1st West India Regiment in 1885. He served on the west coast of Africa and became a lance-corporal before returning to Jamaica.

At Toniataba in The Gambia on 13 March 1892, Major Madden and a small party were trying to force a gate. Gordon saw muskets aimed through loopholes at almost point-blank range. He threw himself between the weapons and his officer, pushing Madden aside and taking a musket ball through the chest. His action saved the officer's life and earned the Victoria Cross, presented in West Africa in February 1893.

He recovered and continued in the regiment, including recruiting and firing-range duties in Jamaica. He attended Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and retired as a sergeant in 1902. He then worked as principal range warden at Up Park Camp. He died in Jamaica on 15 August 1922 and was buried in the camp's military cemetery.

Official Victoria Cross citation

During the attack on the town of Toniataba, Major G. C. Madden, West India Regiment, who was in Command of the Troops, was superintending a party of twelve men who were endeavouring with a heavy beam to break down the South Gate of the town, when suddenly a number of musket muzzles were projected through a double row of loop-holes which had been masked. Some of these were within two or three yards of that Officer’s back, and before he realized what had happened Lance-Corporal Gordon threw himself between Major Madden and the muskets, pushing that Officer out of the way, and exclaiming “Look out, Sir!” At the same moment Lance- Corporal Gordon was shot through the lungs. By his bravery and self-devotion on this occasion Lance-Corporal Gordon probably saved the life of his Commanding Officer.

The London Gazette of 9 December 1892, Numb. 26352, p. 7217