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Archiver > CARIBBEAN > 1999-09 > 0936336663


From: "Ernest M. Wiltshire" <>
Subject: [CARIBBEAN] A Jamaican holder of the Victoria Cross, 1899
Date: 3 Sep 1999 00:31:03 -0500


I have in my possession a rather quaint book entitled "Black Jamaica, A
Study in Evolution" by W.P. Livingstone, published in London, 1899.
One hundred years old in other words. On page 230 the following sentence
appears: "One Jamaican negro - a soldier in the West India Regiment -
has won the Victoria Cross for valour in the field. He protected an
officer from a well-aimed bullet by throwing himself in front, and
receiving it in his own body."
Opposite there is a photographic portrait of a very handsome young
(black) man, in uniform wearing the VC and two other medals, captioned:
"Sergt. W.J. GORDON, West India Regiment (Holder of the Victoria Cross)"

It does not say what war, but from the dates I cannot help but think
that this must have been the Boer War.
***********************************************************
Ernest M. Wiltshire / Friends of the Barbados Archives
38 Inglewood Place, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1Y 4C7
Tel & Fax: 613-729-0982 e-mail:
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