Gordon VC Rest Area
Sutton Forest, NSW
Hume Highway (A31)
At a Glance
Victoria Cross Recipient
Private James Hannah Gordon VC
2/31st Infantry Battalion
James Hannah Gordon was born on 7 March 1907 at Rockingham, Western Australia, the son of a farmer who served as a state parliamentarian. On enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force in April 1940, Gordon understated his age and gave his middle name as 'Heather' rather than Hannah. He was posted to the 2/31st Infantry Battalion, an infantry unit formed in Queensland and Victoria as part of the 7th Australian Division.
On the night of 9–10 July 1941 near Jezzine in Lebanon, during the Syria–Lebanon campaign against Vichy French forces, Gordon's company was held up by intense machine-gun and grenade fire. On his own initiative, Gordon crept forward alone through a hail of bullets and grenades until he reached close quarters with the nearest machine-gun post. He then leapt to his feet and charged the position from the front, killing its four crew members with his bayonet. His action demoralised the enemy in the sector and enabled his company to advance and take the position. His was one of only two Victoria Crosses awarded to Australians during the Syrian campaign.
After the war, Gordon became a regular soldier and served until 1968, achieving the rank of Warrant Officer Class II. He died on 24 July 1986.
Born 7 March 1907, Rockingham, WA. Died 24 July 1986.
References
Remembrance Driveway
Stop 5 of 20 along the Remembrance Driveway
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- Sir Roden Cutler VC Rest Area
- Partridge VC Rest Area Southbound
- Kenna VC Rest Area
- Keith Payne VC Rest Area
- Gordon VC Rest Area
- Mackey VC Rest Area
- Kingsbury VC Rest Area
- Chowne VC Rest Area
- Derrick VC Rest Area
- French VC Rest Area
- Kibby VC Rest Area
- Edmondson VC Rest Area
- Gratwick VC Rest Area
- Gurney VC Rest Area
- Badcoe VC Rest Area
- Wheatley VC Rest Area
- Anderson VC Rest Area
- Middleton VC Rest Area
- Newton VC Rest Area
- Edwards VC Rest Area
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