William Gosling (VC)

Major William Gosling VC (15 August 1892 – 12 February 1945) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Gosling was a twenty-four years old sergeant in the 3rd Wessex Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, during the First World War. On 5 April 1917 near Arras, France, a bomb was fired by the Stokes Mortar from Sergeant Gosling's battery; it had a faulty cartridge, and fell ten yards from the mortar near front-line infantry. Sergeant Gosling, after discussion with his battery and on vehement demands from the infantry, left the trench, lifted the nose of the bomb which had sunk into the ground, unscrewed the fuse and threw it on the ground where it immediately exploded. This action undoubtedly saved the lives of the whole detachment. For this action he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

During World War II he served as a major in the Home Guard. He died aged 52.