Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Gordon, James Hannah (Jim) (1907–1986)
by Jolyon Horner

James Hannah (Jim) Gordon (1907-1986), soldier, was born on 7 March 1907 at Rockingham, Western Australia, fifth of eight surviving children of Australian-born parents William Beattie Gordon, member (1901-11) of the Legislative Assembly and later farmer, and his wife Harriett Ann, née Scott. (Sir) John Hannah Gordon was his uncle. Jim grew up on his parents’ properties at Namban, near Moora, and (from 1917) at Gingin. Educated at local state schools, he worked as a drover, rouseabout and farmer. He was employed on the goldfields as a battery worker when World War II broke out.

On 26 April 1940 Gordon understated his age and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, giving his middle name as Heather. He was 5 ft 9 ins (175 cm) tall and of medium build, with brown eyes and dark hair. At St Edmund’s Church of England, Wembley Park, Perth, on 14 June that year he married Myrtle Anzac Troy. He embarked for the Middle East in September and joined the 2/31st Battalion in February 1941. In June-July the unit was engaged in the Syrian campaign against the Vichy French. On the night of 9-10 July Gordon’s depleted company was ordered to seize the high ground overlooking the villages of Amatour and Badarane, north of Jezzine. An enemy machine-gun post held up the advance. On his own initiative, Gordon crept forward through a hail of bullets and grenades until he was near the post. He leapt to his feet and charged it from the front, killing its four crew members with his bayonet. His action demoralised the enemy in the area and inspired his comrades to continue the attack. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Read more - https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/gordon-james-hannah-jim-12554 (adb.anu.edu.au)