Born on 4 May 1866, Captain W.E. Gordon was in his early 30’s when he arrived in South Africa to fight in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902).
He was part of the force sent to relieve Kimberley, and saw action at the Battle of Magersfontein in December 1899, where he was wounded. He then saw action at Paardeberg before being involved in the epic Battle of Doornkop.
During the guerrilla phase of the war he was awarded the Victoria Cross at the Battle of Dwarsvlei on 11 July 1900, where together with Captain Younger, they rescued the British guns under heavy gunfire from the Boers.
