DEATH OF GALLANT LEADER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15718, 19 September 1914, Page 8

DEATH OF GALLANT LEADER

COL. GORDON'S BRAVERY.

[BY TELEGEAPH OWN COEEESPONDENT.]

Dcvedin, Friday. Colonel Gordon, of the Gordon Highlanders, who has been reported as killed in action, was 48 years of age, and was the son of the late Dr. Gordon, of Bridge 01 Allan, Stirlingshire. He joined the Gordon Highlanders in 1888, in Ceylon, saw his first active service with the Chitral relief expedition in 1895. and was

present at the storming of the Dargai heights in the Tirah campaign two years later. He was adjutant of his battalion during the Boer war, being dangerously wounded at Magersfontein on December 11, 1899, and was twice mentioned in despatches. On July 11, 1900, at Leehoeholk (or Nomboschfontein), a spirited action was fought against the Boers, whose fire was 60 terribly severe at only 850 yards, that artillery horses were unable to stand against it. Gordon, however, determined to attempt to drag one of the guns into shelter by hand. To accomplish this a drag rope had first to be fastened to it, which task he elected to carry out himself. Calling for volunteers, and instructing them to da s li out on the instant he should signal that ho was ready, ne made for the gun, and fastened a rope to it. His men promptly dashed out, and a.) commenced the hauling of the gun up the bank. Three were severely wounded, and Captain Younger mortally wounded, whereupon, seeing that further attempts would only lead to fresh casualties, Cap. tain uordon ordered the remainder under rover. He saw personally to the wounded and then himself retired. During the entire affair his conduct wa 8 described as having been "most admirable," and the Handling of his men as "masterly." For this action he was awarded the" Victoria Cross. INSPECTING THE CAMPS. TOUR BY MINISTER FOR DEFENCE. [t>T TKI.EGRAPn.— PRESS ASSOCIATION-.] Palmers-ton- North, Friday. The Hon. James Allen, Minister for Defence, visited Palmerston to-day, and inspected the troops at Awapuni camp. He subsequently addressed the men, and informed them that the reason of his visit was to see whether they were properly equipped before leaving New Zealand. The Minister left for Auckland during the afternoon to inspect the camp at Epsom.