Ashtead War Memorials - WWI - 2nd Lieut John Cameron Gordon, Royal Berkshire Regiment

John Cameron Gordon was a child, born 5 July 1890, of John Gordon from Islington. He attended school at Haileybury, Hertfordshire, between 1903 and 1905. His marriage to Florence Jeffries was registered, in Kensington, for the September Quarter 1910 and by 1914 the couple had set up home in Glandore [now 203] Barnett Wood Road, Ashtead, renting one of a number of properties erected by a local speculative builder. Gordon lived next door to William Arundell in St Ann's, now 205 BWL. Maybe one influenced the other over enlistment?

Having enlisted with the Royal Berkshire Regiment, he joined the 8th Battalion in France on 29 April 1917.

A birth announcement in The Times June 5, 1917 shows his son was born at home in Ashtead:
Births: On the 31 May at Glandore, Ashtead, Surrey, the wife of Sec Lieut JC Gordon, Royal Berks Rgt of a son (John David). [via Ann Williams]. The widowed Florence Gordon appears to have left Ashtead after the Great War. At the time of his War Graves record being written his parents were living in Surbiton.

The exact circumstances of John Cameron Gordon’s death in action were obscured by the fog of war but the following extract gives some idea of how it would have occurred: -

8th Royal Berkshires War Diary 20/21 March 1918
France, FRONT LINE TRENCHES
Notice of an impending attack was received on evening of 20th from Brigade Hd Qrs. This was transmitted to companies, who, as previously ordered, immediately on receipt of order "Prepare for Attack", manned their Battle Positions.
Prior to attack, dispositions were, as shown above, Batt. H.Qrs. LA GUINGUETTE FM, B and D Coys. in Front Line, A Coy in support and C (Counter-attack Coy) in trench in rear of Batt. Hd. Qrs.

4:30AM. About this time a heavy barrage was put down on the front line system, this included much gas shelling. Back areas were subjected to heavy and concentrated area shoots. There was a very thick mist and visibility at daybreak was about 10 yards. All communications were destroyed almost immediately. 2nd LIEUT E. WALLIS together with 8632 PTES. A. KYTE and 14826 G. SHIRLEY made repeated endeavours to restore communications.

10 A.M. LIEUT. T.H. BAKER who was badly wounded had made his way [through] the barrage and reached Batt. Hd. Qrs. He reported that O.C. "D" Coy (LIEUT. E.J. MECEY) had received a message from 2nd LIEUT. W.C.A. HANNEY, the commander of D Coy's front platoon (occupying the line to SUNKEN ROAD) stating that the enemy had entered our front line trenches and that he was holding out. The message did not give the point where the enemy had penetrated. No news was received from "B" (the right coy) and no definite information can be obtained as to the fighting on this coy front.

About 10 A.M. two runners, 18571 PTE. H. BUTVHER MM and 18268 PTE. G. SPARROW endeavoured to obtain touch with front line. They passed through the barrage and made towards "D" Coy. Hd. Qrs. in MAGPIE WOOD. Before reaching the wood they came in touch with the enemy and were obliged to return.

From statements of NCO's and men of "A" Coy., it appears that the enemy reached this Coy.'s positions at about 1OA.M., met with considerable opposition and was temporarily checked.

10:30 A.M. Rifle shots were heard from direction of junction of main ST QUENTIN Rd and MOY Rd and a few enemy were reported to be moving along this road towards Batt. Hd. Qrs. LT. COLONEL R.E. DEWING DSO order[ed] Batt. Hd. Qrs. to man the trench which was occupied by "C" Coy. behind Hd. Qrs. dug-out. CAPT. and ADJT. H. LE G. SARCHET MC stayed behind at Head Qrs. and destroyed all papers etc. Whilst doing this he was attacked by the enemy and killed several of them with his revolver before he withdrew.

11 A.M. In a thick line the enemy advanced to the attack of the trench West of Batt. Hd. Qrs. Owing to the intense mist they were able to approach to within 50 yards of our trench, but were then shot down almost to a man. This checked their advance for a time. They then began working round both flanks of our position and shortly afterwards M.G. Fire was opened on the post from on rear of it. This fire, combined with accurate sniping from all sides caused heavy casualties, one sniper about 50 yards in front, in a shell hole was particularly active. LIEUT. N. WILLIAMS having located this sniper clamber[ed] over the parapet accompanied by his servant, 36668 PTE. J.E. PETERS, rushed him with the bayonet and secured him as a prisoner. When returning to the trench this Officer was killed. By his great act of gallantry which was performed under heavy fire he undoubtedly saved many lives. About this time the mist began to lift and on realising that the position was surrounded and that the leading troops of the enemy were already far advanced towards LY FONTAINE, Lt. Colonel DEWING ordered the remaining forces to withdraw down SEINE ALLEY towards the battle zone.

During the defence of this post 13099 L/C. E.H. NOYES and 21583 PTE. J. IRVING displayed coolness and gallantry, doing much execution with their Lewis Guns.

CSM. J. ORSGOOD with several other unidentified men, covered the withdrawal of the survivors by leading a bombing attack along the trench.
MAJOR D. TOSETTI MC and LIEUT. S.A.G. HARVEY lead an attack down SEINE ALLEY with the object of clearing the way for the remainder. Whilst doing this both Officers were killed. 10249 SGT. W.J. SPOKES then took command, continued the attack and cleared the trench. Great gallantry was displayed by this NCO and for a time he was fighting alone. Survivors then proceeded down the Battle Zone where they joined some of the 10th ESSEX Regt. in manning these defences. Batt. Hd. Qrs. was established at ADOLPHE POST. During the afternoon and evening these positions were maintained against all enemy attacks

LY FONTAINE 21/22.3.18. 12 Midnight.
The order to withdraw was received by Lt Colonel DEWING. This was effected without opposition or casualties. Route taken was REMIGNY-CANAL BRIDGE at FRIERS FAILLOUEL. At this latter place Batt. Bivouaced for remainder of the night.

Officer Casualties: -
KILLED.
MAJOR D. TOSETTI MC 21.3.18, CAPTAIN C.G. BIRCH MC 21.3.18, LIEUT. S.A.G. HARVEY 21.3.18, LIEUT. N. WILLIAMS 21.3.18,
2nd LIEUT E.G. KING 21.3.18 & 2nd LIEUT. J.C. GORDON 21.3.18.

WOUNDED.
LIEUT. T.H. BAKER 21.3.18, 2nd LIEUT. J.W. RANDALL 24.3.18, LIEUT. H.B.F. KENNEY 25.3.18 & 2nd LIEUT. R.W. CRAMPIN 31.3.18.

WOUNDED AND MISSING.
CAPTAIN H.R. FENNER 21.3.18.

Links
The Rifles (Berkshire and Wiltshire) Museum - the story of the Infantry of Berkshire and Wiltshire
8th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment 1915 - research by Andrew Tatham on an earlier group of 8th Bn Officers.
"A private commemoration site by Andrew Tatham whose grandfather raised and commanded this Kitchener's battalion taking them into battle at Loos in 1915. Andrew has extensively studied all the officers who appeared in the battalion group photograph and travelled all over the world to establish contacts with family members. An excellent recommended site for anyone looking at this battalion." Andrew's parents live in Westhumble.
Haileybury School Roll of Honour

text: Brian Bouchard, Ann Williams
If you can add to this page please contact the editor.
page added 8 Feb 2009, updated 16 Mar 11: 28 Nov 17