BSM William Gosling VC
On the night of 5 April 1917, a misfired bomb from a nearby mortar fell within 10 metres of Sgt William Gosling’s mortar pit. The mortar detachment decided to toss a coin to choose who would make the nearby 60 lbs mortar bomb safe. Sgt William Gosling lost! Without hesitation, he sprang out, tilted the bomb to enable him to unscrew the fuse. As Sgt William Gosling and threw the fuse on the ground, where it exploded instantaneously and harmlessly – thus, saving the lives of all of his men.
Year: 1917
Rank/Regt: V/51 Trench Mortar Battery RFA