Robert Vaughan Gorle VC

Name: Robert Vaughan Gorle

Conflict: First World War

Gazetted: December 14, 1918

Service: Army

Place/date of birth: Southsea, Hampshire/May 6, 1896

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Temporary Lieutenant

Date of bravery: October 1, 1918

London Gazette citation:

T./Lt. Robert Vaughan Gorle, “A” Bty., 50th Bde., R.F.A.

For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty during the attack on Ledeghem on 1st October, 1918, when in command of an 18-pdr. gun working in close conjunction with infantry. He brought his gun into action in the most exposed positions on four separate occasions, and disposed of enemy machine guns by firing over open sights under direct machine-gun fire at 500 to 600 yards’ range. Later, seeing that the infantry were being driven back by intense hostile fire, he, without hesitation, galloped his gun in front of the leading infantry, and on two occasions knocked out enemy machine guns which were causing the trouble. His disregard of personal safety and dash were a magnificent example to the wavering line, which rallied and re-took the northern end of the village.

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Durban, South Africa/January 9, 1937

Grave/memorials: Stella Wood Cemetery, Durban, South Africa

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased privately, 1993

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum